Pyrus communis - Cultivated pear

Rosaceae

Die Frucht der Birne Pyrus communis Clapps Liebling

Die Birne Pyrus communis in Sorte als Spalier gezogen

Die Frucht der Birne Pyrus communis Alexander Lucas

Die Frucht der Birne Pyrus communis Gute Luise von Avranches

Die Frucht der Birne Pyrus communis Koestliche Von Charneu

Our Pyrus communis

The cultivated pear, Pyrus communis, is probably a cross between a wood pear

and a snow pear (P. pyraster x P. nivalis) with further crosses. Pears were already cultivated in Greece 3000 years ago. Today, 260 varieties are listed for Germany alone. Pears for fruit growing are often grafted onto quince, as they reduce the tendency of pears to grow and increase the aroma of the fruit.

Depending on the rootstock, pruning and variety, the trees can reach a height of between 3 and 20 m and, as high trunks, can easily live to be 200 years old. The steeply upright crown with the continuous leading shoot is always reminiscent of a pear. The trees love a dry, warm climate in sunny locations. They prefer nutrient-rich, deep, dry to fresh soils without waterlogging in the slightly acidic to alkaline range. Pear grafted on quince does not like calcareous soils.