Ornamental Mountain Pear
About 20 years ago we started growing a few plants of this species of pear from wild seed collected in the mountains of Japan. We had heard that this species grows in great abundance in high elevation rocky areas. It is said to be the progenitor of the cultivated Asian pears called subspecies culta. Culta has a slower growth habit than other pears. Its open structure with wide spaced branches make it shaped like a pine tree with few laterals. In flower its thick spur-type branches are clothed in white. Trees have a few short side branches and eventually form a stout tree to 20 ft. with a straight growth habit. Some of these trees are 8 ft. tall after 20 years. The fruit is late ripening, juicy, tart, and highly gritty. Not too good for humans but the deer like them despite their toughness.
| Plant Specs |
| Genus & Species |
Pyrus pyraster |
| Seed Source |
Ecos |
| Hardiness |
-30 |
| Height (ft) |
60 |
| Width (ft) |
20 |
