Pyrus calleryana

Callery Pear
Rosaceae
Deciduous, Trees

PYRUS

Grown for their profuse late-winter or early-spring show of white flowers and their glossy, attractive leaves. Not at their best in shallow soils but otherwise unfussy about soil, even growing well in heavy clay. Most are subject to fireblight.

Pyrus calleryana

To 50 ft. tall and wide,with strong horizontal branching pattern; young growth is thorny. Broadly oval, scallop-edged, leathery, 1/2 –3-in.-long leaves are glossy dark green, turning rich purplish red in fall. Blooms very early; late freezes may destroy flower crop. Very small, round, inedible fruit. Less susceptible to fireblight than most pears.

'Autumn Blaze'

Rounded form to 30 ft. tall, 25 ft. wide. Hardiest of the callery pears. Crimson fall color develops early.

'Bradford'

The original P. calleryana variety. Pyramidal to 50 ft. tall, 35 ft. wide. Strongly vertical limbs have no central leader. Very impressive for 15 to 20 years; then branches becomecongested, tree spreads, andtight branch crotches tend tosplit. Better choices are ‘Aristocrat’, ‘Chanticleer’, ‘New Bradford’, and ‘Redspire’.

'Chanticleer', 'Cleveland Select', 'Glen's Form', 'Stone Hill'

Most plants sold underthis name are narrowly pyramidal in form; some are more columnar. To 40 ft. tall, 15 ft. wide. Fall color varies fromorange to reddish purple.

'Jack'

Oval shape to 15 ft.tall, 10 ft. wide, with white flowers and dark green leaves that turn yellow in fall.