Pear, Common

Description

Pyrus communis

Pear trees are deciduous and usually grow to about 12m, though some can reach up to 20m. Pear trees will usually live to be about 50 years old. These trees will not usually start developing flowers and fruit until about 5 years after they’re planted.

Pear trees are hermaphroditic. This means that the pear tree flowers possess both male sexual characteristics and female sexual characteristics. Because of this, pear trees are capable of self-pollination. They can also be pollinated by an insect pollinator, for example the honey bee. The pear tree’s beautiful white flowers also tend to attract many butterfly species.

Pear tree flowers usually appear to be a creamy white colour, though these can also sometimes have a pink tinge. A pear tree flower will have five petals.