Pear, Common
Pyrus communis
Rosaceae - Rose

Description

Leaves: Dark green, drab yellow or red to maroon in fall, shiny; hairless to hairy (long white hairs) when young; alternate; simple; ball-like to egg-shaped, tapering to a point, almost heart-shaped to broadly cuneate, from 3/4" to 3" in length; margins subtly toothed to crenate.

Twigs/buds: Twigs yellowish-green, sometimes slightly brown, hairless to slightly downy; thick; branches stubby; fruit spur branches abounding, often with thorns. Buds smooth to somewhat hairy; cone-shaped and sharp-pointed; terminal bud larger (1/3" long), laterals often divergent; scales overlapping.

Flowers/fruit: Flowers white, 1" to 1-1/2" in diameter; showy, ill-scented; early-blooming. Fruit a pome, green to yellowish-brown, sometimes red or purple; large, fleshy, pear-shaped.

Bark: Grayish-brown, smooth when young; narrowly cracked and fissured when older, creating ridges and scales.

Wood: Light brown; has been used to make furniture in France; little information available.

General: Origin is unknown, but it probably comes from western Asia or Europe; probably an old domestic hybrid. Small or medium-sized tree, growing to 30' or 40' in height. Cultivated widely for fruit; has commonly escaped. Related to the apple. Very susceptible to fireblight disease.

Landscape Use: I have seen an old pear on an abandoned farmstead south of Circleville, Utah that was hanging on and had brilliant red-orange fall color. Should only be grown where fruit is desired. Has more elongated leaves and less dramatic flowers than the Callery pear with a much larger yellow to red to purple fruit. Leaves shinier, thinner and less hairy than the apple tree. Twigs include many spur shoots and may include thorns. Zones 4-9.

Characteristics

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