What kind of pear tree is this?

Question

I purchased some pears 5 to 8 years ago and ate one while out in the yard. I threw the core into the woods.

About 3 years ago I found the tree off in the woods! Yeah!

Can anyone direct me to what kind of pear tree this is? I would like to find a site that offers bark and foliage identification charts/pics. This is the first year that it has really produced anything. It is about 20 feet at the tip, but I will have to work on it because it has been in the woods. I need to identify it so I can properly begin pruning and training it. We have five acres so I think I am going to cut the oaks and pines and start rooting some, but I don't know the variety.

Thanks for your help. As a clue, we are in Blythewood, SC. The pear tree is just behind the tree line so stays fairly well shaded. I think we are in zone 7-8. There are several trees within 8 feet of the trunk. It must be a fairly hearty variety to survive these conditions.

Thanks

Frank Pytel

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Answer 1

You are more likely to identify them by their fruit than by their leaves, since they are usually cultivars of the same species.

If it grew from a pear you bought it is likely russet, bartlet or bosc.

Pears don't always come true from seed either. They are a bit like apples that way.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrus

http://www.uga.edu/fruit/pear.html

http://www.ars-grin.gov/ars/PacWest/Corv...

This shows pictures of both fruit and leaves.

http://www.ars-grin.gov/cor/pony.html.

Answer 2

Here in UK we have a saying...'plant a pear for your heir', because they are such slow-growing trees.  

The chances of them bearing fruit for a long while is the reason for the saying, so it sounds as though the ground and weather conditions where you live must be highly suitable for the pear.

Good luck with your endeavours and enjoy your fruit!