In our backyard, we have a Bartlett pear tree, and a Bosc pear tree.
The Bosc pear tree produces fruit that ripens best if harvested before the pear fall off the tree, then ripened at room temperature till ripe per the soft neck test.
The Bartlett pear are best harvested when they fall off the tree, or are about to fall off the tree. As the season progresses and the pear start to yellow, the pear fruit are checked for ripeness daily, by lifting each fruit until they are nearly horizontal. If the whole stem pops of the tree, it is ripe, and was just harvested. If a fruit doesn't pop off the tree, it is left on the tree to be checked each subsequent day until it is ripe and pops off the tree.
Since the Bartlett pears are checked only once per day, many pear become ripe and fall off the tree in the interim. Fortunately, there are a whole bunch of thickly growing rushes beneath the pear tree. They resemble Horsetail, but without bushy tops, and are evergreen. They stand up to 4' tall, and their stems do a great job of catching falling pear, preventing bruising. They also make it hard for passing raccoon to get to the fallen pear.
Perhaps there are other plants that can grow beneath a tree that could catch and protect falling fruit. Any ideas?
See attached pictures for examples of the rushes talent at catching pear.