Pyrus communis (any variety) (Edible pear (any variety))

Botanical name

Pyrus communis (any variety)

Other names

Edible pear (any variety)

Genus

Pyrus Pyrus

Variety or Cultivar

P. communis (any variety) _ If you don't know the variety name of your Pyrus communis (Edible pear), you can add this plant to your lists to get care advice.

P. communis (any variety) are columnar, deciduous trees with ovate to elliptic, finely-toothed, glossy, dark green leaves and white flowers in early spring followed by edible fruit. Harvest date is dependent upon variety.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Upright

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Colour

Flower

White in Spring

Foliage

Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Dark-purple in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids , Blister mite , Bullfinches , Caterpillars , Codling moth , Pear fruitlet gall midge

Specific diseases

Pear rust , Brown rot on fruits , Blight , Apple and pear canker , Pear scab

General care

Pruning

Thin fruit as necessary. Regular pruning required. Most pears are spur-bearers which means fruit buds are produced on older wood in the form of short, branched shoots called spurs.

Propagation

If grafting, the rootstock used will effect plant size. Quince is normally used.

Propagation methods

Budding, Grafting

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Pyrus communis (any variety) (Edible pear (any variety)) will reach a height of 15m and a spread of 10m after 10-20 years.

Suggested uses

Architectural, Beds and borders, Celebrations/Rememberance, Cottage/Informal, Flavouring food and drinks, Specimen tree, Wildlife

Cultivation

Best in neutral, well-drained, fertile soil in a sunny, sheltered site. Avoid shallow, wet soil. Keep a wide, weed-free area around the trunk. Suitable for all training forms. Most pears require one or more pollinators. Rootstock determines mature height.

Soil type

Clay, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Pyrus communis (any variety) (Edible pear (any variety))

Common pest name

Decline of pear; Leaf curl of pear; Moria disease of pear; Pear leaf curl

Scientific pest name

Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri on perry pears

Type

Phytoplasma

Current status in UK

Present (Limited)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

The pest and vector are already present in the UK. Regulation appears to have been ineffective at preventing entry and establishment. A change of regulatory status is being considered at EU level. Industry may also want to review their management practices.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Pyrus communis (any variety) (Edible pear (any variety))

Common pest name

grape ground pearl

Scientific pest name

Margarodes vitis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Main pathway; Vitis spp. plants for planting; already prohibited. However; further consideration of other pathways is required.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Pyrus communis (any variety) (Edible pear (any variety))

Common pest name

Citrus little leaf; Little leaf of citrus; Sour orange stem pitting; Stem pitting of sour orange; Xyloporosis of citrus

Scientific pest name

Hop stunt viroid

Type

Virus or Viroid

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Pest of hops present in America and parts of Europe. PHPS provides good assurance of disease freedom; but EU regulation to be pursued to enhance protection in the longer term.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/