Harbin Pear, Chinese pear, Ussurian Pear
Pyrus ussuriensis

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: Pink, White. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Rounded, Spreading or horizontal.

Pyrus ussuriensis is a deciduous Tree growing to 15 m (49ft 3in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in April, and the seeds ripen from September to October. 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): 15

Where it is found

Forests and river valleys in lower mountain zones.

E. Asia - N.E. China, Korea.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

Fruit - raw or cooked. Size and quality varies tremendously from tree to tree. Good forms have somewhat dry but pleasantly flavoured fruits up to 4cm in diameter, other forms are less pleasant and often smaller.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 2

Used as a rootstock for P. pyrifolia culta in Korea, it is very frost resistant.

Rootstock: Plants used as the rootstock for grafting scions onto.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

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. A very frost resistant tree, tolerating temperatures down to below -15°, it is a possible rootstock for northern areas. It is used as a rootstock for P. pyrifolia culta in Korea. This species is a parent of the cultivated Asian pears. Special Features:Not North American native, Blooms are very showy.

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 Canopy;

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 3-7

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

P. sinensis. non Lind.