There are only five to six main cultivars of pears, so the harvest season is late August to early October. Most pears reach optimum harvest maturity while they are still green and hard, and before they ripen on the tree. Therefore, pears are usually harvested based on fruit firmness.
Besides copper and fiber, pears also contain decent amounts of vitamin C, potassium, and vitamin K. Vitamin C is important for immune health and non-heme iron absorption, potassium is important for cellular function, and vitamin K is important for blood clotting.
Pear trees are not grown on their own roots, as they would get too large for most gardens, reaching 6m (20ft) or more. Instead, the above-ground part of the tree (the variety) is grafted onto quince roots (the rootstock), and it’s the roots that dictate the tree’s vigour and size.