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Pyrus
communis or European Pear (wild pear) is from the
Rosaceae family. Native to central and eastern Europe and
southwest Asia.
The Pyrus is often found in large field, on the side road
and close to villages. Standard trees typically grow to
25-30’ (less frequently to 60’) tall.
Although the early spring flowers are beautiful and the
fruit is attractive, the Pyrus communis is normally grown
only for its fruit crop and not as an ornamental.
Aromatic, with 5 conspicuous petals, creamy white flowers
in corymbs appear in early spring, March/April, on spur-like
branchlets. Flowers give way to edible, pear-shaped
fruits that ripen during the summer.
Ovate to elliptic glossy dark green alternate leaves (to
4” long) have crenate to serrate margins. Shiny
green above, when mature, paler and dull below, foliage
turns shades of red and yellow in fall.
The twig are a glossy brown to reddish brown, medium in
texture, spur shoots present; terminal buds are medium in
size (less than 1/4 inch), conical to dome shaped, and
may be lightly hairy. Gray-brown to reddish brown bark,
becomes grayish brown with shallow furrows and flat-topped
scaly ridges. The Pyrus communis shape is typically quite
upright and conical with very narrow branch angles.
Hardiness zones: 4-8, (-32°C/-25°F, -10°C/15°F) in
winter. Pears generally perform best in cool, dry climate.
Best grown in well-drained, humusy loams, with medium
moisture in full sun. Tolerant of heavy clays. Plant two
or more varieties for best cross-pollination. Early
spring flowers may be damaged by frosts.
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