The common pear was introduced into the UK by the Romans so for this reason it is classed as a non-native species. It is rare to find a common pear tree in any of the parks or green spaces around Exeter, typically they will be found in private gardens or occasionaly growing wild. There are over 3000 cultivars of pear grown across the world of which some only produce flowers. If a pear tree is to be planted as a street tree it is most likely going to be an ornamental flowering pear tree such as Pyrus calleryana. This is to ensure no fruit falls to the ground which could cause problems in areas of high pedestrian traffic (such as a city center).
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In the wild pear trees can live for up to 250 years. Typically they will only live for up to 50 years in other situations (such as an orchard). The average height of a common pear tree is around 10m but in some cases can grow to be as tall as 20m. The crown of mature trees is quite broad and the trunk is typically straight and single stemmed. 
ENTIRE TREE
BARK & TRUNK
The bark of mature pear trees is quite different from most trees as rather than being smooth, rough or furrowed it's arranged into lots of small block shapes! The colour of the bark is a mix of grey and brown and on some of the larger branches the block shape patterns merge into smooth shiny sections - which really adds character. Some of the buds can can be a bit spiny and are chestnut brown in colour. 
CANOPY
CROWN
The leaves are oval to elliptic in shape and are alternately arranged. The size of the leaves is around 8cm and quite smooth to the touch. The surface of the leaves is darker than the underneath and the leaf margins have many small teeth. The leaf stalks are usually 3cm or more and on a windy day resembles Aspen. The flowers are hermaphrodite and are pollnated by insects like most stone fruit trees. During April the tree is in full bloom and really stands out. Each flower has five white petals and the stamens are pink. After successful pollination the flowers will grow into pears and be fully mature by October.
BRANCHES & TWIGS
LEAVES
The main use of the Common pear tree is for the iconic pears. Pear juice, cider and pies are just a few of the common uses of the fruit. The wood of Common pear is often used in cabinetry, veneers and turned objects.. The ancient Chinese believed that the pear was a symbol of immortality.  ​
FLOWERS
FRUIT (PEAR)
Black birds, thrushes and crows often eat the fruit and the seeds are dispersed by their droppings. Other small animals that occupy the ground may also help with moving the fruit away from the base of the tree along with the seeds. As the Common pear was an introduced species of the UK there isn't a great deal of mythology or lore. It idoes feature in the  iconic Christmas song "the twelve days of Christmas" with the first main verse being "​and a partridge in a pear tree".
BUDS
GROUND LITTER
OTHER USEFUL LINKS
QUICK FACTS
  • ​There are over 3000 cultivars of pear
  • There are some types of pear that only produce flowers - these are known as ornamental flowering pear trees
  • It is a deciduous tree capable of growing up to 20m
  • Pear trees are native to southern, western and central Europe
  • The common pear was introduced into the UK by the Romans
  • You are more likely to find a flowering pear tree in a public green space rathern a Common pear
  • They would not be suitable as a street tree due to the amount of ground litter they make  (fruit fall)
  • ​In the wild pear trees can live for up to 250 years
  • In a commercial orchard the lifespan may be as little as 50 years
  • The trunk is typically straight and single stemmed​
  • Some of the buds can can be a bit spiny and are chestnut brown in colour
  • ​On older pear trees the bark is arranged in block shapes - like offcut squares
  • The leaves are oval to elliptic in shape and are alternately arranged
  • ​The size of the leaves is around 8cm and quite smooth to the touch
  • ​The leaf stalks are usually 3cm or more and on a windy day resembles Aspen
  • ​The flowers are hermaphrodite and are pollnated by insects like most stone fruit trees
  • ​Each flower has five white petals and the stamens are pink
  • ​After successful pollination the flowers will grow into pears and be fully mature by October
  • There are usually around 8 seeds within each pear
  • In April the tree is in full bloom and really stands out
  • The ancient Chinese believed that the pear was a symbol of immortality
  • The seeds are disperesed by animals - mainly birds
  • ​The wood of Common pear is often used in cabinetry, veneers and turned objects​
PLEASE LEAF ME ANY FEEDBACK / COMMENTS
If there is anything out of place or wrong please contact me. Equally if there is anything you wish to add please let me know. The more information we have about Common pear the better. Many thanks!