Pyrus communis - Wild Pear

Thought to be one of the ancestors of domestic pears, Pyrus communis is a small, deciduous tree with a columnar habit, much taller than cultivated, grafted pear-trees. With fissured, sometimes scaly, grey brown bark, and often thorny, it bears glossy, deep green, pointed-oval leaves. In mid-spring, clusters of bright white blossom cover the tree, very attractive to pollinators. These are followed in autumn by little, yellowish, edible pears up to 10cm long, which can be eaten after boiling or roasting. Wild pear can sometimes be found in old hedgerows, and is good planted as part of a fruiting hedge.

Site: Sheltered
Soil: Any well drained soil, apart from chalk
Position: Full sun
Season of interest: Spring and autumn
Hardiness: Very hardy
Height: 50’ (15m) Spread: 26’ (8m)