The suburb derives its name from Pear Tree Farm which formerly existed in the area, and was owned by the Peach family from the 18th century.

Streets of terraced housing were built up to accommodate workers, industry having been encouraged to develop by the opening of the Birmingham and Derby Junction Railway, which skirts the eastern side of Pear Tree, in 1839.

Although the demise of Ley's has allowed for some modern redevelopment, much of the original terraced housing typical of the area is of a good quality and has survived.

[2] Like neighbouring Normanton, Pear Tree now has a large multicultural community, with a particularly high number of residents of Asian origin.

Peace activist Alice Wheeldon lived on Pear Tree Road, where her family home sheltered conscientious objectors avoiding conscription during the First World War.

[8] The main railway line from Derby to Birmingham, part of the Cross Country Route, forms the eastern boundary of the area.

[9] North of Peartree on the line is Ramsline Halt, which was briefly used in the 1990s for Football Specials serving the Baseball Ground but is now disused.