Pears - Now and Later

Some of our friends live in an apartment in Forest Grove, OR - about 20 minutes away by car. There is an old pear tree on the property that no one has tended for many years. We went three years ago and picked enough pears to eat for several weeks and also make 85 pints of pear salsa. Last year in addition to what we ate fresh we dried a lot for later use in pies and cakes as well as just snacking on. A few weeks ago we learned that the property is being developed and the pear tree will fall to the axe shortly, in fact the survey lines are already marked. So we paid one last visit to the old tree.

I'm too old (and smart) to climb trees anymore. Sandra, our daughter Stephanie, and our friends and I took turns spotting pears and picking. [a lot of time was spend dodging falling pears - they are HARD]

Our fruit picker is indispensable; pears, apples, plums - all are now in reach.

Of course, the largest and prettiest fruit is always at the top of the tree.

Then is when its handy to have a friend who is not afraid of heights. While we were picking, a neighbor walked by and said he had a couple of pear trees just behind our friend's apartment we could pick if we wanted. We picked those and hopefully they will be a source of pears next year.
The fruits of our labor. One of three boxes picked today.

We wrapped most of the pears in paper and will store them in a cool place, taking them out when we want them to ripen. Pears are one of the few fruits that can be picked when mature but not ripe. They will ripen to full flavor later. This box will last several months. Some were ripe enough to use now.

As I sit here I can smell the pear coffee cake Sandra has baked to share with those who helped with the picking. Of course there's one for us!