Plant, Tree & Shrub Library

Other Names:  Common Pear

Description:

A compact and hardy pear, this University of Minnesota introduction produces tasty medium-sized reddish-brown fruit in late summer on an upright and vigorous plant, showy white flowers in spring; a great choice for the home orchard

Edible Qualities

Parker Pear is a small tree that is commonly grown for its edible qualities. It produces antique red oblong pears (which are botanically known as 'pomes') with white flesh which are usually ready for picking from late summer to early fall. The pears have a sweet taste and a crisp texture.

The pears are most often used in the following ways:

• Fresh Eating
• Cooking
• Baking
• Preserves
• Canning

Features & Attributes

Parker Pear is blanketed in stunning clusters of white flowers with purple anthers along the branches in mid spring. It has dark green deciduous foliage. The glossy pointy leaves turn an outstanding deep purple in the fall. The fruits are showy antique red pears 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 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, Parker Pear is sutiable for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Orchard/Edible Landscaping

Planting & Growing

Parker 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 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 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 particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.