Family: Rosaceae
Common name: Pear, Common pear, European pear, Wild pear
Common pear is a small and beautiful tree, the parent tree for many hybrids and cultivars of Pears which vary in fruit size, shape, and color. They are native to the temperate regions of Europe and Asia, but have been introduced to other tropical and temperate countries.
Pear trees have been cultivated for thousands of years, a very popular fruit loved for their mild sweetness and good storage potential.
Tree Characteristics
Pear trees are relatively short, growing to a height of 10-12 meters with a stout bark that is heavily branched. Bark texture is relatively smooth in younger plants, but they become cracked and fissured as the tree matures.
Leaves of the Pear tree are simple with an elliptical shape and a pointy tip. They are dark green, glossy, about 8-12 cm long, but their size can vary depending on the cultivar.
Flowers are very pretty indeed, with white petals and pink or yellow tipped stamens. The petals could be overlapping or non-overlapping, white or light cream in color, with a smooth texture. Blooming happens in April-May, the tree dotted with large clusters of flowers that look like bouquets.
Each Pear flower is 5-8 cm in diameter, borne in clusters of 5-7 flowers. The abundant blooms have a delicate, sweet scent that can attract pollinators.
Pear trees are grown for their delicious, sweet fruits that are mostly green, but there are variants in white, pale green, red, yellow, and brown colors as well.
They are bulbous with a narrow upper half and enlarged lower half. In fact, the shape ‘pyriform’ means pear-shaped, which is the unique shape of these fruits.
Fruit size ranges from 5 to 10 cm depending on the cultivar. Taste also ranges from mild and subtle, to rich and sweet. Pears store well, and hence they are usually plucked before they are ripe.
Once the fruit reaches its full size, they can be plucked and stored at room temperature for the fruits to ripen.
Pears are produced during summer and fall, each tree producing over 100 fruits. China is the largest producer of pears accounting for more than 50% of the world’s pear production, followed by US and Argentina.
Gardening Tips
Pear trees need good sunlight for most part of the day for growth and fruit production. Make sure they are planted at least 3-4 meters away from other trees, especially larger ones with wide canopies.
They need well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Watering is needed during peak summer, and also when the tree is small.
Since Pear trees are relatively small, they can be pruned to make sure they don’t become very tall. This makes it easier to harvest the fruits.
Fertilize with a slow-release, well-balanced fertilizer like manure, bone meal, or compost just before the tree flowers and fruits.
There are over 3000 known varieties of Pears, most of them producing sweet, delicious fruits of great commercial value.
Uses of Pear
Pear fruits are mostly eaten raw, and they are rich in dietary fiber, Vitamic C, and antioxidants. They are also eaten dried or stewed, made into juices or preserves, and also added to baked goodies.
These fruits have some medicinal uses in the treatment of fever and pain. Wood of the Pear tree is used for making musical instruments and small wooden implements. Leaves and bark are used for making natural dyes.
Pear trees have good longevity, living for over 100 years. They are excellent choices for home gardens, parks, and landscaped areas, providing shade, shelter, nourishment for humans, birds, and small animals.
Propagation
Propagation is through seeds, stem cuttings, and grafting.
Seeds might not produce true-to-type fruits, and propagation through stem cuttings is very slow.
Grafting by placing a scion or a cutting of the desired variety of Pear, on a rootstock produces trees that will bear fruits faster, and produce Pears that carry all the characteristics of the tree from which the scions were taken.
Photographed at: GKVK University of Agriculture, Bangalore
