Tab, watch out for those squirrels. I call them tree rats. I have problems with them getting into my attic to make nests. They will chew up anything they can wrap their jaws around, including electical wiring, television cable, and any keepsakes you may have in the attic. While they are cute little animals, they can be very destructive. Mothballs in my attic have slowed down the destruction. Live traps work, but also catch birds, cats, and cotton tails.
As far as the pear trees are concerned, it looks like you are on the right track. I have never started roots from clipping of a tree before, but I have been successful at growing roses that way.
