Troubleshooting
Williams Pear problems — and how to fix them
Williams Pear (Pyrus communis 'Williams' Bon Chrétien') is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Poor pollination / no fruit
Williams is only partially self-fertile and crops poorly alone. Plant a compatible pollinator from flowering group 3 (such as Conference or Concorde) within bee-flying distance.
Pear scab
Olive-brown blotches on leaves and corky cracks on fruit, worse in wet springs. Prune for airflow, clear fallen leaves and choose less susceptible cultivars where scab is chronic.
Brown rot
Soft brown patches with concentric rings of buff spores on fruit, spreading in store. Remove and destroy mummified fruit and avoid bruising at harvest.
Pear midge
Tiny larvae cause young fruitlets to blacken, swell and drop in early summer. Collect and destroy affected fruitlets and cultivate soil beneath the tree to disrupt pupae.
Prevent williams pear problems before they start
Most williams pear issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for williams pear in general rather than its problems? Read the full williams pear care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Williams Pear problems — FAQ
Why is my williams pear poor pollination / no fruit?
Williams is only partially self-fertile and crops poorly alone. Plant a compatible pollinator from flowering group 3 (such as Conference or Concorde) within bee-flying distance.
Why is my williams pear pear scab?
Olive-brown blotches on leaves and corky cracks on fruit, worse in wet springs. Prune for airflow, clear fallen leaves and choose less susceptible cultivars where scab is chronic.
Why is my williams pear brown rot?
Soft brown patches with concentric rings of buff spores on fruit, spreading in store. Remove and destroy mummified fruit and avoid bruising at harvest.
Why is my williams pear pear midge?
Tiny larvae cause young fruitlets to blacken, swell and drop in early summer. Collect and destroy affected fruitlets and cultivate soil beneath the tree to disrupt pupae.