Pear Masterclass Session 1 – planting systems and rootstocks

September 2020 | Presented by Dirk van Hees, Fruitconsult | Future Orchards® Pear Masterclass

Dirk van Hees opens the 2020 Pear Masterclass with developments in European pear planting systems and rootstocks. The session compares how planting density, tree architecture and rootstock choice can be combined to control vigour, bring trees into production and create a canopy that is practical to manage.

The presentation is particularly relevant to Australian pear growers because pears do not always respond to the same systems used for apples. Rootstock choice influences tree size, precocity, anchorage and the way a planting responds to soil and management. Van Hees uses European experience to show why planting system and rootstock should be selected together rather than as separate decisions.

The broader Pear Masterclass format pairs international material with an Australian perspective, allowing growers to consider which components are transferable and which need local adaptation. Labour availability, orchard height, machinery access, soil conditions, irrigation and the target variety all affect whether a system will perform commercially.

This combined slide deck and recording is a useful planning resource for new pear blocks and redevelopment projects. It helps frame decisions around density, rootstock, training system and the long-term balance between yield, fruit quality and manageable tree vigour.