Hi all,
I'm so excited to learn more about growing fruit. I have a very newbie question, that I couldn't get a clear answer to via Google. I just bought a couple of fruit trees at a nursery and the guy gave me a free pear. I asked if I needed a second variety to pollinate, and he said since it's a Red Bartlett, it will be self-fertile. Somehow that sounds too good to be true. Is it true? If not, I'm not prepared to buy/plant another tree this year--don't have the room at the moment---so will it be OK just not productive? My neighbor has an Asian pear, I don't know what variety, but it's in his backyard, and the Red Bartlett is in our front yard so I'm not even sure that's close enough even if they did cross-pollinate.
Thanks so much in advance for your help--I look forward to learning a lot more soon.
Annie
It won't hurt the tree to go without pollination, you might not get fruit though. Bartletts are partially self fertile. I believe the Asian pear will pollinate a European pear. Are there ornamental flowering pears in your neighborhood too? They are fairly common and could offer pollen source.
.
Hi Annie …I think Asian pears bloom a bit earlier than Europeans… but I’m not sure? But I wouldn’t worry about pollination, yet.
I’ve grafted for years ...and can hardly leave a new tree alone … without instantly adding a pollinator variety. You'll have time to do the same; after some reading; online research; or (I haven’t looked to see where you’re located) attend one of our grafting classes next February. – You could even Bud-graft it this summer; our society gives budding classes, too. That might work best; research a good pollinator, or ask at our Arboretum; attend the class; grab some ‘bud wood’ and return home to place a bud or two (eventual limbs) on a ‘bare side or opening’ on the pears main trunk.
I’ve got a ‘regular’ old Bartlett pear tree, though it’s no longer alone (in the woods), it was for years - and produced like a champ. I suspect ‘reds’ will do the same… But you’ve got options – if a free tree 
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