Deciduous, leaves serrate, buds with imbricate scales, flowers mainly white, stamens 20-30 with red or purple anthers, styles 2-5 withtwo ovules per locule, walls of locules are cartilaginous, seeds are black. The genus consists of 23 species and half of the species are found in Asia, and the rest in Europe, North Africa, and around Mediterranean sea (Asian side). The domestic pear of Europe (Pyrus communis L.) and the domestic pear of Asia (Pyrus pyrifolia Bum. Nak.) are the cultivated species. Pear and apple produce flowers and fruit from mixed buds formed at the of spurs (short stubby branches). The terminal flower buds are the ones that open first and fruits set on this flowers tend to be larger than the ones set laterally.One to two shoots may grow from the same bud that produces the fruit. The apple cultivars without such types of shoots are called spur types and does not require a lot of pruning.There are spur types of pears, and because of their growth habit, pears do not require substantial pruning.  

European Pear varieties:

• New Century
• Harrow Delight
• Harvest Queen
• Bartlett
• Red Sensation
• Seckel
• Spartlett
• D'Anjou
• Harrow Sweet
• Highland Luscious
• Noble Russet
• Bosc
• Comice
• Hardy
• Forelle
• Packam's Triump
• Moonglow

Asian pear varieties:

• Nijiseiki (20th Century)
• Kosui
• Shinseiki
• Hosui
• Chojuro
• Ya li
• Tsu li
• Okusankichi

 

0 Feet (Small, medium, large)

 

Days from bloom to maturity (European 90-210; Asian 120 - 210)

 

4 - 9 

Moist, Well-Drained
 

Full Sun
 

Canning
Fresh
 

Blushed
Green
White
 

Animal Damage

• Voles (Microtus spp.)
• Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)

Bacterial Disease

• Bacterial Blight/Canker [Shrubs, Trees and Tree Fruit] (Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae)
• Fire Blight (Erwinia amylovora)

Environmental Damage

• Drought
• Drowning and Edema
• Winter Injury

Fungal Disease

• Wood Rots and Decays (Many genus and species involved)

Insect Damage

• Leafrollers (Tortricidae)
• Thrips (Many)

Additional pests and problems that may affect this plant:

Insect and Insect relatives:

• Pear Psylla (Cacopsylla pyricola)
• Pear Rust Mite (Epitrimerus pyri)
• Pear Sawfly (Caliroa cerasi)
• Grape Mealybug (Pseudococcus maritimus)
• Pear Leaf Blister Mite (Phytoptus pyri)
• Codling Moth (Cydia pomonella)
• Apple rust mite
• Tufted apple bud moth
• Eyespotted bud moth
• Dogwood borer

Diseases:

• Foliar and fruit diseases: Apple scab (Venturia inaequalis), pear scab (Venturia pirina), Powdery mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha) Fire blight (Erwinia amylovora).
• Rust diseases: Cedar apple rust (Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginiana), Japanese pear rust (Gymnosporangium asiaticum), Quince rust (Gymnosporangium clavipes), European pear rust (Gymnosporangium fuscum), Hawthorn rust (Gymnosporangium globosum).
• Fruit diseases: Bitter rot (Glomerella cingular), Black rot (Botryosphaeriaobtusa), White rot (Botryosphaeriadothidea), Black spot (Fabrea maculata), Blue mold rot (Penicillium expansum), Brown rot (Monilina fructosa), Bull's eye rot (Pezicula malioeticus), Gray mold (Botrytis cinerea), Phytopthora rot (Phytophthora cactorum), Pink mold rot (Cephalothechim roseum), Powdery mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha), Rhizopus rot (Rhizopus stolonifer), Side rot (Phialophora malorum)
• Stony pit (viral)

Nutritional disorders (deficiencies and toxicities):

• Nitrogen, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Boron, Manganese, Zinc

Postharvest disorders:

• Bitter pit
• Black end of Anjou pears
• Core breakdown
• Cork spot of Anjou pears
• Pink end of Bartlett pears
• Pithy brown core
• Storage scald
• Physiological disorders: Necrotic leaf blotch, Black end, Cork spot, Core breakdown

Environmental factors:

• Low-temperature injury
• Sunburn
• Fruit cracking
• Drought
• Flooding
• Hail
• Lightning
• Russet

Most pear varieties are self-unfruitful so they need pollenizer. Some Pear varieties are suitable for fresh market, baking or canning. The storage period may last from 30 to 200 days in European types and 60 to 180 days in Asian types.

 

Home, Yard & Garden Pest Guide
The Home, Yard & Garden Pest Guide (C1391) provides is written for homeowners and other residents and provides nonchemical and current chemical recommendations for controlling pests associated with trees, shrubs, turf, flowers, groundcovers, vegetables, fruit, and houses. In addition, you'll find detailed information about integrated pest management, pesticide safety, and pesticide application and calibration techniques. This publication may be purchased at your local University of Illinois Extension Unit office, or by calling 800-345-6087, or by placing an order online (search for "C1391").
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U of IL - Distance Diagnosis through Digital Imaging
A free plant, weed, insect and disease identification service available through your local University of Illinois Extension office. Center Educators or State Specialists review & respond to information and digital images submitted by local Extension office personnel. Some samples may require further examination or culture work (nominal fee involved) at the U of IL Plant Clinic.
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Services include plant and insect identification, diagnosis of disease, insect, weed and chemical injury (chemical injury on field crops only), nematode assays, and help with nutrient related problems, as well as recommendations involving these diagnoses. Microscopic examinations, laboratory culturing, virus assays, and nematode assays are some of the techniques used in the clinic.
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