Other Names:  Common Pear

Description:

A compact and dense fruit tree whose origins date back to the 1600's, grown for its smallish yellow fruit that are primarily used for making perry, a pear liquor, but are also good for fresh eating and preserves; white flowers in spring are ornamental

Edible Qualities

Thorn Pear is a small tree that is typically grown for its edible qualities. It produces light green oval pears (which are botanically known as 'pomes') with tan spots and white flesh which are usually ready for picking in early fall. The fruit will often fade to yellow over time. The pears have a sweet taste and a firm texture.

The pears are most often used in the following ways:

• Fresh Eating
• Cooking
• Baking
• Wine-Making

Features & Attributes

Thorn Pear is bathed in stunning clusters of white flowers with purple anthers along the branches in early spring. It has forest green deciduous foliage. The glossy pointy leaves turn an outstanding deep purple in the fall. The fruits are showy light green pears with tan spots and which fade to yellow over time, which are carried in abundance in 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 an upright spreading habit of growth. 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
• Disease

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

• Accent
• Shade
• Orchard/Edible Landscaping

Planting & Growing

Thorn Pear will grow to be about 18 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 15 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 4 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 50 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 is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.