Compared with apples, pears are more likely to withstand poor drainage, but are less able to tolerate dryness. Standard or half-standard trees take many years to come into bearing and eventually become too large for the average garden. Bush-type trees, pyramids, cordons, fans or espaliers are, therefore, more appropriate for small gardens, and these are usually grown on 'Malling Quince A' rootstocks. The form of tree to be grown depends rather on the space available. For the open garden, bushes, pyramids or cordons are the usual choice.
Bushes take up most room but their maintenance takes least time.
Pyramids come into bearing more quickly and their small size makes spraying, picking and protection from birds easier. Their pruning, however, takes rather more attention. Cordons require posts and wires for support but have the merit of taking up little room individually so that a single row can comprise a collection of varieties providing a succession of fruit. A row of cordons, too, can sometimes be planted on the southern side of a wall or close-boarded fence, so that full advantage is taken of the wind shelter thus provided. Espalier training may also be used against walls and espalier pears may be planted as a decorative yet useful edging to vegetable plots.