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Like other fruit trees, pears require a good deal of maintenance in order to perform well. Many require a chilling period to fully ripen and are good for use in baking and cidermaking.

Latin Name

Pyrus communis


Family

Rosaceae


Type of Plant

Fruits Fruits
Trees Trees

Bloom Season

April

Seasons

Spring Spring
Summer Summer

Specifications

Max height Max Height: 30'
Max spread Max Spread: 25'

Uses

  • Edible
  • Flowering Tree

  • Sunlight Exposure

    Full Sun Full Sun

    Colors


    Native Range

    Eastern Europe and Southwest Asia


    History

    In 1785 Washington received many varieties of pears from his neighbors that had been developed in Europe.


    Other Details

    Pollinator Pollinator
    Grown by Washington Grown by Washington

    Planted at Mount Vernon

    Planted at Mount Vernon Lower Garden Fruit Garden & Nursery Upper Garden

  • Lower Garden
  • Fruit Garden & Nursery
  • Upper Garden

  • Hardiness Zones

    4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b USDA basemap

    Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005

    map legend 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b

    Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility.   Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.

    Bring Washington's Garden Home

    Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.

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