The ancestor of the fruiting pear, the Wild Pear is an attractive columnar tree, with plentiful white blossom in early spring and good autumn leaf colour. Although often cited as a native British tree, it is thought to have originated in China, but has been grown in here for thousands of years. An excellent wildlife plant.

Site and soil

The Wild Pear will do well on most soils, in full sun or part shade.

Height and spread

After 10 years: 5m x 2m
After 20 years: 9 x 4.6m

Leaf and bark

The leaves are oval, glossy and dark green up to 10cm in length. They turn beautiful shades of gold and orange before leaf-fall in autumn. The bark is greyish-brown, cracked into irregular squares. Sometimes the stems bear a few thorns.

Flower, seed and fruit

The large five-petalled white flowers are borne in huge quantities in spring – a beautiful sight. They are followed by small, edible fruits, which can be pear-shaped or more spherical.

Uses

Woodland, woodland edges, hedges, specimen tree. The wood is used for making musical instruments, wood-turning and veneers. The fruits can be eaten raw (when sweet enough) or made into jams and jellies.

Wildlife

An excellent tree for wildlife. Bees and other insects are attracted to the blossom in spring, and birds and small mammals eat the fruits in autumn. The Wild Pear is also favoured by mistletoe as a host tree.