Birch-Leaved Pear
Pyrus betulaefolia
Family: Rosaceae
What it is like
Pyrus betulaefolia is a deciduous Tree growing to 7.5 m (24ft 7in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower in April. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.
Height (m): 7.5
Where it is found
Open slopes and plains from sea level to 1800 metres.
E. Asia - N. China.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Fruit - raw or cooked. The fruit is quite small, about 15mm in diameter. Leaves - cooked. Flowers. Dried, powdered and made into cakes. The dried leaves are used to make tea.
Tea: the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.
Medicine
Rating: 1
The leaves are used in the treatment of cholera, colic and cramps. The cooked fruit is used to treat mucous diarrhoea.
Cholera: Used in the treatment of cholera - an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with Vibrio cholerae bacteria.
Miscellany: Various medicinal actions that need more clarification.
Other
Rating:
This species has long been used as a rootstock for the cultivated pears by the Chinese, it is recently also being used as a rootstock in N. America and in Europe.
Miscellany: A rag-bag of items that are difficult to categorise.
Rootstock: Plants used as the rootstock for grafting scions onto.
How it is grown
Prefers a good well-drained loam in full sun. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Tolerates light shade but does not fruit so well in such a position. Tolerates atmospheric pollution, excessive moisture and a range of soil types if they are moderately fertile. Established plants are drought tolerant. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c. A fast growing tree.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the autumn, it will then usually germinate in mid to late winter. Stored seed requires 8 - 10 weeks cold stratification at 1°c and should be sown as early in the year as possible. Temperatures over 15 - 20°c induce a secondary dormancy in the seed. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse for their first year. Plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Secondary; Sunny Edge;
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: 4-8
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist