Description:

A hardy pear tree, presenting clouds of showy white flowers in spring, good fall color and consistent oval shape; firm, green to yellow fruit is excellent for fresh eating, canning, or preserves; fallen fruit can be messy, resistant to fireblight

Edible Qualities

Prairie Welcome Pear is a medium-sized tree that is commonly grown for its edible qualities. It produces green oblong pears (which are botanically known as 'pomes') with a yellow blush and white flesh which are usually ready for picking in late summer. The fruit will often fade to gold over time. The pears have a sweet taste and a juicy texture.

The pears are most often used in the following ways:

• Fresh Eating
• Preserves
• Canning

Features & Attributes

Prairie Welcome Pear is bathed in stunning clusters of white flowers along the branches in mid spring. It has dark green deciduous foliage. The glossy oval leaves turn an outstanding burgundy in the fall. The fruits are showy green pears with a yellow blush and which fade to gold over time, which are carried in abundance from mid to late summer. The fruit can be messy if allowed to drop on the lawn or walkways, and may require occasional clean-up.

This is a dense deciduous tree with a shapely oval form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition. This is a high maintenance plant that will require regular care and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Messy

Aside from its primary use as an edible, Prairie Welcome Pear is sutiable for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade
• Orchard/Edible Landscaping

Planting & Growing

Prairie Welcome Pear will grow to be about 30 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 20 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 4 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 70 years or more. This variety requires a different selection of the same species growing nearby in order to set fruit.

This tree is typically grown in a designated area of the yard because of its mature size and spread. It should only be grown in full sunlight. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. This plant should not require much in the way of fertilizing once established, although it may appreciate a shot of general-purpose fertilizer from time to time early in the growing season. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.