Woody > Pyrus > Pyrus communis > Pyrus communis
Pyrus communis
Common Pear
Origin: Native to Eastern Europe and Western Asia near the Mediterranean. It has been cultivated in Europe since 1000 BC.
Mike's
Opinion
"
Should be planted with plenty of room for growth and have a moist well drained soil. Older trees can be quite majestic and it is my experience that it is one of the few fruit trees producing a crop with little effort. Of limited ornamental value, though, except when in flower.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Rosaceae |
| Genus |
| Pyrus |
| Species |
| communis |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Tree (deciduous) |
| Pronunciation |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 4–8 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 2a–7a |
| Temperature (°C) |
| -34 |
| Temperature (°F) |
| -30 |
| Height |
| 6.6–8.3 m |
| Spread |
| 4–5 m |
Photographs
Cultivars
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Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| Small deciduous flowering tree, with simple ovate dark green leaves and close growing, acute angled branches. |
| Landscape |
| Can be trained into a bush, dwarf pyramid, or cordon formations for use in gardens. |
| Cultivation |
| Prefers well drained moist soil and full sun; however, established trees are tolerant of drought. |
| Shape |
| Narrow and compact branches that remain close to trunk ascending at an acute angle. |
| Growth |
| Medium |
| ID Characteristic |
| Narrow and limited in height with white flowers in spring and deep green foliage. Branches point up on an acute angle. |
| Pests |
| Prone to fire blight and scale. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| Bark forms small plates that are grey-brown in colour. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description |
| Conical, sharp-pointed buds that are smooth or slightly tomentose, approximately 3 cm long. |
| Leaf Description |
| Dark green ovate leathery leaves with serrated leaf margins and long petioles. Leaf size is 1.9–7.6 cm long and up to 5 cm wide. |
| Flower Description |
| Single white flowers ranging in size from 2.5–3.8 cm with 5 petals and red stamens. |
| Fruit Description |
| Green fruit with a fleshy skin and granular texture. It is narower at the stem with a wider round bottom and is 10 cm in length. |
| Colour Description |
| Autumn colour can vary from dull deep red to brown, otherwise foliage is dark green. |
| Texture Description |
| Medium texture becoming more coarse with age. |
| Notable Specimens |
| Hood River Valley of Oregon, United States. |
| Propagation |
| Easy from seed with cold stratification of 5°C for 60–90 days. Root grafting is used commercially to produce large quantities quickly. |
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