How to Grow and Care for a Royal Riviera Pear Tree

The Royal Riviera pear is recognized as a luxury fruit, known for its large size and juicy, sweet flavor that makes it a holiday gift favorite. With the right preparation, it is possible to cultivate these pears in a home garden. This provides a direct connection to a celebrated piece of horticultural history.

What Makes a Pear “Royal Riviera”

The name “Royal Riviera” is a trademark used by the company Harry & David to market their Doyenné du Comice pears. This variety originated in Angers, France, around 1849 and was brought to the United States in the 1850s. The founders of Harry & David began growing them in Southern Oregon’s Rogue River Valley, whose climate and soil proved ideal.

The Comice pear was chosen for its buttery texture, which is less grainy than other varieties, and its exceptionally juicy, sweet flavor. These qualities made it a prime candidate for a premium fruit brand. The marketable name “Royal Riviera” was chosen to evoke a sense of luxury, combining its French origins with its unique taste.

The growing conditions in Southern Oregon, with its volcanic soil, warm days, and cool nights, allow the Comice pear to develop its full flavor profile. This region’s climate resembles that of southern France, where the variety was first developed, contributing to the pear’s signature quality.

Planting Your Pear Tree

Comice pear trees require a location that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. The spot should be sheltered from strong winds, and a south-facing wall can provide an ideal microclimate with added protection from frosts that might damage spring blossoms.

These trees perform best in well-draining, loamy soil with a pH close to 6.5. Proper drainage prevents root rot. If you have heavy clay soil, amend it with organic matter like compost to improve its structure and drainage.

Plant a pear tree during its dormant season, from late fall to early spring. If you have a bare-root tree, soak the roots in water for a few hours before planting to hydrate them. Dig the hole twice as wide as the root ball but only as deep, allowing the roots to spread out.

Place the tree in the center of the hole, ensuring it sits at the same depth it was in the nursery. Backfill the hole with the excavated soil, tamping it down to remove air pockets. After planting, water the tree thoroughly to settle the soil and apply a layer of organic mulch around the base, keeping it away from the trunk to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Essential Tree Care

Watering

For the first year, water a newly planted Comice pear tree deeply every few days, especially during dry periods. Once the tree shows new growth, reduce watering to about once a week. To check for moisture, feel the soil two inches below the surface; if it is dry, it is time to water again. The goal is to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.

Fertilizing

Fertilize your Comice pear tree in the early spring before new growth starts. A balanced, slow-release 10-10-10 formula designed for fruit trees is a suitable choice. Avoid nitrogen-heavy fertilizers, as too much can encourage leafy growth over fruit and make the tree more susceptible to disease. If your soil is already fertile, you may need to apply less fertilizer.

Pruning

Prune to shape the tree, improve air circulation, and encourage fruit production. The main pruning should occur in late winter or early spring while the tree is dormant. Create a strong central leader with evenly spaced lateral branches to allow sunlight to penetrate the canopy and aid fruit ripening. Remove any dead, damaged, or diseased branches as you see them throughout the year.

Pollination for Fruit Production

Comice pear trees are not self-fertile and require a different pear variety nearby for cross-pollination to produce fruit. Bees and other insects transfer pollen between the blossoms, but for this to be effective, the two varieties must have overlapping bloom times.

Plant a compatible pollinator no more than 100 feet away to ensure a good fruit set. Effective pollinating partners for Comice include Bosc, Anjou, and Bartlett pears. These varieties bloom at a similar time and have compatible pollen, which will significantly increase the chances of a successful harvest.

Harvesting and Ripening Guide

Comice pears must be picked before they are fully ripe. If left to ripen on the tree, they develop a mealy texture. The primary indicator for harvesting is the “tilt test.” Gently lift a pear to a horizontal position; if the stem separates easily from the branch, it is mature enough to pick.

Once harvested, Comice pears require cold storage to ripen properly and develop their sweet flavor and buttery texture. Store the pears at a temperature between 30°F and 32°F for two to six weeks. This simulates a winter period, which signals the fruit to begin its final ripening process once it is removed from the cold.

After cold storage, ripen the pears at room temperature, between 65°F and 75°F, which can take a few days to a week. To check for ripeness, gently press your thumb near the pear’s neck; if it yields to pressure, it is ready to eat. You can speed up this final stage by placing the pears in a paper bag to trap the ethylene gas they release.

Common Pests and Diseases

Pear trees are susceptible to certain pests and diseases, with fire blight being a significant concern. This bacterial disease causes branches to look as though they have been scorched by fire, leading to blackened leaves and twigs, and it thrives in warm, humid weather. Management involves pruning away infected branches, making sure to cut at least 12 inches below the visibly diseased area and disinfecting pruning tools between cuts.

Another common issue is the codling moth, whose larvae can burrow into the fruit and cause internal damage. Evidence of codling moth includes small holes in the fruit, often with brown, sawdust-like frass pushed out. Good orchard sanitation is a primary preventative measure, which includes promptly cleaning up and disposing of any fallen fruit or leaves from around the base of the tree to reduce overwintering pests.