Forest pear is one of the forms of common pear. Grows in the form of a tree or shrub. A pear tree can grow up to 20 meters in height, a bush pear does not exceed 4 meters and has thorns on the branches. The plant has a scaly bark covered with cracks. The pear has a spreading and dense crown, leaves are rounded, from 2 to 7 cm in length and 1.5-2 cm in width, with elongated petioles. The sheet is glossy at the top, matte at the bottom. Pear flowers can be either single or grouped into shields of 6-12 flowers. Their color has shades of white and pink. Fruits reach 4 cm in diameter, pear-shaped. The length of the stalk is 8-12 cm. The fruits are rich in vitamins of group B, C, various acids, sugars and tannins.
The pear begins to bloom in late April - early May. Fruits are harvested in August-September. Adult plants of 8-10 years old begin to bear fruit.
The fruits of the forest pear are very well kept. They can keep their appearance for 5 months. Each tree gives up to 40 kg of harvest per season. Good fruiting is periodic and repeats every two years.
Description of wild pear
The growing area of the forest pear is quite large. The plant takes root well both in the steppe zone and in the forest-steppe. The forest pear is also common in the regions of the Caucasus and Central Asia, it is found in Moldova and Azerbaijan. There are both lonely growing shoots and group ones. In areas favorable for growth, the pear forms whole forests. The crop is drought tolerant due to its strong root system extending deep into the depths, and thrives on light soils rich in nutrients. Propagated mainly by seeds. In nature, the spread of seeds is facilitated by wild animals that feed on pear fruits. Unfavorable conditions favor the development of root shoots, which often take root, forming a separate plant. Also, forest pear can have dense pneumatic growth.
The plant lives from 150 to 300 years. Varietal trees have a much shorter life span - 50 years. Pear fruits are widely used. They are suitable for making compotes, fruit drinks, jams and wines. They can be eaten both raw and boiled or dried. Suitable as food for pets and wildlife. The early flowering time and its abundance make the pear an excellent honey plant.
Not only the fruits of the plant are appreciated, but also its wood. It has a high density and a beautiful reddish brown color. Often used to make furniture, tableware, and decorative items. The bark of the pear also has a use: it is used as a natural brown dye. A yellow pigment is obtained from the leaves of the plant.
Forest pear is well suited for roadside landscaping and forestry in steppe regions, and is also used by breeders.
Pear variety "Forest Beauty"
Forest Beauty is the most popular pear variety. Place of distribution: Ukraine and Belarus. Zoned seedlings are well accepted in the Lower Volga region and the Caucasus. Representatives of this variety reach a height of 10 meters, have a wide pyramidal, not very dense crown.Straight shoots are often thick and dark red in color. There are quite a few lentils on the shoots. The leaf is small, oval, with a finely serrated edge. The flowers of the tree come in different shades, from white to pink. This pear variety is resistant to temperature changes in spring. The Forest Beauty is partially self-fertile.
The shape of the fruit of this variety is ovoid. Fruits are yellow with a red tint, covered with gray dots. They have a thin, rough skin and juicy aromatic pulp. The taste is sweet and sour. Pear fruits are very aromatic. The ripening period begins in the second half of August. For better preservation of the crop, it is recommended to remove the fruits a week before ripening. Otherwise, the crop will quickly overripe, which will lead to its early deterioration. The fruits of the Forest Beauty can be eaten directly or used to prepare compote.
The pear of this variety bears fruit 6-7 years after planting. The plant is unpretentious. It grows well on dry soils and moderately moist, but loose substrates rich in nutrients are best suited. The trees of the Forest Beauty are frost-resistant.
The description of this pear variety is in many ways similar to the forest pear, the only difference is its high frost resistance.
Another pear variety is wild pear. Trees of this variety reach 20 meters in height. Distribution area: the south of Russia, the Caucasus, Central Asia and Kazakhstan. It grows both in forests, mainly deciduous, and on the edges. It can form whole pear forests, but mainly grows in single trees. Wild pear is a good vigorous stock. It goes well with cultivars. Wild pear leaves are shiny, oval. Flowers are white, sometimes pink, up to 3 cm in diameter, forming umbrellas.
Flowering occurs in the middle to the end of the calendar spring, when the plant begins to release leaves. The fruits are pear-shaped or round in shape. Sweet and sour pears can only be eaten after 2-3 months of storage. The harvest falls at the end of August. Adult plants 7-8 years old begin to bear fruit. The yield varies from 10 to 50 kg per tree. On average, the plant lives 60-90 years, but there are also three-hundred-year-old specimens.
