Moonglow Pear Tree

Light Needs

Full Sun

(6+ Hours Direct Sun)

Mature Height

15-25 Feet

Mature Spread

5-10 Feet

Growing Zones

4 to 9

Moonglow Pear Tree makes smooth, low-grit fruit with a sweet, juicy bite that works fresh or in jars. This dwarf, compact grower still reaches about 15–18 feet tall and 10–12 feet wide. The medium to large pears turn a dull yellow with a soft pink blush as they mature. We recommend Pyrus communis ‘Moonglow’ for home orchards because this tree has excellent disease resistance.

Moonglow Pear Tree Care

Plant in early spring or fall in full sun, and in well-drained loam with a pH around 6.0–7.0. Space trees about 10–12 feet apart for this compact form, and keep the area under the canopy mulched but not piled against the trunk. Prune while dormant to maintain an open, oval canopy and remove crowded shoots, which improves airflow and helps keep disease pressure down.

Growing Moonglow Pear Tree

Moonglow typically ripens from mid-August into mid-September. For the best texture, pick as the fruit reaches mature color and let it finish ripening off the tree for a few days. Expect the first significant crops in about 2–4 years under good conditions. This variety needs cross-pollination, so plant another non-Asian pear within about 50–100 feet for reliable fruit set.

Growing Moonglow Pear Tree in Containers

Even though it’s described as dwarf, Moonglow is still happiest in the ground long-term, but a large container can work for a few seasons if you stay ahead of root growth. Use a 25–30 gallon pot with excellent drainage, refresh the top layer of mix each spring, and repot or root-prune every 2–3 years. You can add thyme and basil plants to the container for convenient herb harvesting. For in-ground trees, plant strawberry plants or blackberry bushes nearby to build a productive edible area with similar sun needs.

Watering Moonglow Pear Tree

Water deeply right after planting and keep moisture consistent through the first growing season, aiming for roughly an inch of water per week when rainfall doesn’t cover it. If leaves droop early in the day or the tree sheds small fruit during hot spells, longer soakings and steadier moisture are usually required.

Feeding Moonglow Pear Tree

Feed in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer as buds begin to swell, then stop heavy feeding once the tree is growing strongly. Moderate fertility supports bloom and fruit quality, while overfeeding can spur leafy growth that’s harder to manage and can increase summer stress.

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