Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Subfamily: Maloideae
Genus: Pyrus

General Info

Pears are native to temperate regions of the Old World, from western Europe and north Africa east right across Asia.

They are medium sized trees, reaching 10-17 m tall, often with a tall, narrow crown; a few species are shrubby.

The leaves are alternately arranged, simple, 2-12 cm long, glossy green on some species, densely silvery-hairy in some others.

Leaf shape varies from broad oval to narrow lanceolate.

Most pears are deciduous, but one or two species in southeast Asia are evergreen.

Most are cold-hardy, withstanding temperatures between −25 °C and −40 °C in winter, except for the evergreen species, which only tolerate temperatures down to about −15 °C.

The flowers are white, rarely tinted yellow or pink, 2-4 cm diameter, and have five petals.

The shape of the fruit varies from globose in most species, to the classic pear shape of the European Pear with an elongated basal portion and a bulbous end.

There are about 30 species of pears.

Pears are consumed fresh, canned, as juice, and occasionally dried. The juice can also be used in jellies and jams, usually in combination with other fruits or berries.

Plant two varieties for good pollination. Plant on 15 ft. centers. Requires little maintenance. Showy display during spring bloom.

Pruning

Pear trees are usually trained to a central leader. The trees are pruned to a main trunk with horizontal limbs ever one to two feet up the leader. A pine tree is an excellent example of the central leader type. The pine tree achieves the central leader naturally; unfortunately fruit trees must be trained to this system. Remove any limbs that are too close together or angle sharply upward. Wooden "spreaders" can be used to widen the angles between the limb and trunk or the limbs can be tied or weighted down to achieve the same results. Mature trees may be pruned any time during dormancy, but the select time is in early spring before growth starts.

Planting Info

Spacing  20' x 25'

Soil PH 6.0

Moisture Requirement Low

Pruning Requirement Low

VARIETIES

• Pyrus amygdaliformis – Almond-leafed Pear
• Pyrus austriaca – Austrian Pear
• Pyrus balansae
• Pyrus betulifolia
• Pyrus bourgaeana – Iberian Pear
• Pyrus bretschneideri – Ya Pear
• Pyrus calleryana – Callery Pear
• Pyrus caucasica – Caucasian Pear
• Pyrus communis – European Pear
• Pyrus cordata – Plymouth Pear
• Pyrus cossonii – Algerian Pear
• Pyrus elaeagrifolia – Oleaster-leafed Pear
• Pyrus fauriei
• Pyrus kawakamii
• Pyrus korshinskyi
• Pyrus lindleyi
• Pyrus nivalis – Snow Pear
• Pyrus pashia – Afghan Pear
• Pyrus persica
• Pyrus phaeocarpa
• Pyrus pyraster – Wild Pear
• Pyrus pyrifolia – Nashi Pear
• Pyrus regelii
• Pyrus salicifolia – Willow-leafed Pear
• Pyrus salvifolia – Sage-leafed Pear
• Pyrus serrulata
• Pyrus syriaca
• Pyrus ussuriensis – Siberian Pear

AYERS Small to medium yellow fruit with a red blush. Excellent fresh-eating quality, almost free of grit cells. Resistant to fire blight. Pollinator required. Ripens mid-August.

HOOD - Very low chilling variety. Good pollinator for other low-chilling varieties. Yellow-green fruit is fair quality. Ripens August.

KIEFFER - Blight resistant. Strong tree well adapted to wide range of soil and climatic conditions. Consistent producer. Fruit medium to large, golden yellow with red tint. Excellent for baking and preserving. Store fruit for 2 weeks after harvest for maximum quality. Ripens in mid August.

ORIENT - Blight resistant, very vigorous, spreading tree. Round, very large fruit. Fruit is yellowish with red blush. Creamy white flesh with juicy, melting texture good for fresh eating. Late maturing variety.

PINEAPPLE - Very large russet fruit is firm and keeps well. Pineapple flavor, good quality. Heavy producer. Blooms early. High fireblight resistance. Ripens mid-late August.