Description:

A medium size, upright, and hardy tree with showy white flowers in spring, good fall color and consistent oval shape; medium green to yellow pears that are crisp, juicy, and sweet; pollen sterile, cannot be used to pollinate a second tree

Edible Qualities

Gourmet Pear is a small tree that is commonly grown for its edible qualities. It produces green oblong pears (which are botanically known as 'pomes') with a yellow blush and buttery yellow flesh which are usually ready for picking from late summer to early fall. The pears have a sweet taste and a juicy texture.

The pears are most often used in the following ways:

• Fresh Eating
• Cooking
• Baking
• Juice-Making

Features & Attributes

Gourmet Pear is bathed in stunning clusters of white flowers along the branches in mid spring. It has dark green foliage with olive green undersides. The glossy oval leaves turn outstanding shades of yellow and orange in the fall. The fruits are showy green pears with a yellow blush, which are carried in abundance from late summer to early fall. The fruit can be messy if allowed to drop on the lawn or walkways, and may require occasional clean-up.

This is a dense deciduous tree with a shapely oval form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition. This is a high maintenance plant that will require regular care and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Messy

Aside from its primary use as an edible, Gourmet Pear is sutiable for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade
• Orchard/Edible Landscaping

Planting & Growing

Gourmet Pear will grow to be about 20 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 15 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 70 years or more. This variety requires a different selection of the same species growing nearby in order to set fruit.

This tree is typically grown in a designated area of the yard because of its mature size and spread. It should only be grown in full sunlight. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.