Lovely ornamental pear tree with good spring flowering display, mid-green summer foliage. It changes to reds and purples in autumn. Good for parks, gardens as well as streets and public areas.
Adaptable to a wide range of site conditions, coastal areas and air pollution. Best in full sun or semi shade.
Small fruit (~15 mm) edible (raw or cooked). The dried leaves are used to make tea.
Genus - Pyrus
Species - Betulaefolia
Common name - Birch-Leaved Pear
Pre-Treatment - Required
Hardiness zones - 5 - 8
Height - 20'-30' / 6.1m - 9.1m
Spread - 10'-20' / 3.0m - 6.1m
Plant type - Tree
Vegetation type - Deciduous
Exposure - Full Sun, Partial Shade
Growth rate - Medium
Soil PH - Acid, neutral and alkaline
Soil type - Light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay), well-drained
Water requirements - Moist
Landscape uses - Ediblr Fruits
Germination rate - 65%
Bloom season - Spring
Leaf / Flower color - Green / White
Useful Info | |
Germination | 1. Fill a plastic bag with moist peat moss. Bury the pear seeds 2 to 3 inches in the peat moss and close the bag. Place the plastic bag in the bottom crisper drawer of the refrigerator for up to three months, or until the last frost date has passed. Ensure that the peat moss stays damp but not soggy the entire time it is stored in the refrigerator. 2. Remove the seeds from the refrigerator and plastic bag when outdoor temperatures remain steady above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Soak the seeds in a bowl of warm water for two days to help soften the hard outer shell of the pear seeds. 3. Place biodegradable peat pots on top of a plastic water tray. Fill the peat pots 3/4 full with organic potting soil. Remove the pear seeds from the bowl of water and lay one pear seed on top of the potting soil in each peat pot. Cover the pear seeds with a 1/2-inch layer of potting soil. 4. Water the pear seeds until the soil is moist. Cover the peat pots loosely with plastic wrap to raise the humidity. Set the plastic tray and peat pots indoors in a warm location that receives plenty of indirect light. Keep the soil moist until the pear seeds germinate. The rate of germination will depend on which variety of pear seed you have. 5. Remove the plastic wrap when the pear seeds have sprouted above the soil line in each peat pot. Move the water tray and peat pots to an indoor location that receives brighter light, such as a windowsill. Continue keeping the soil moist for several months, or through the winter months. 6. Feed the growing pear seedlings a liquid houseplant fertilizer as directed on the package label. 7. Plant the pear seedlings in well-draining soil, in a location that receives full sunlight when the threat of frost has passed. Break up the soil in a planting area twice the size of the peat pot the pear tree is growing in and mix in organic compost. Dig a hole the same size as the peat pot. Trim off the top edge of the peat pot so it is even with the soil level inside. Place the peat pot into the planting hole and backfill with soil. Water the soil well. Space multiple pear seedlings at least 20 feet apart from each other to accommodate the growing root systems. (source: ehow.com) |