Callery pear.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Deciduous tree

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

30 to 50 feet

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 5 to 9

Bloom time

Early spring

Care

Plant this tree in a spot with plenty of sun to ensure the strongest branch structure. Keep an eye out for fire blight which shows up as blackened leaves or twigs. Regular monitoring helps you catch any structural issues before they become major problems.

Watering

Water deeply during the first few years to establish a strong root system.

Feeding

Apply a balanced fertilizer once in early spring before new growth begins.

Pruning

Prune in late winter to remove dead wood and improve the overall shape.

Repotting

This tree is meant for outdoor planting and is not suitable for container life.

Soil

Well draining loamy soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.5

Temperature

-28 to 38°C

Humidity

30 to 70%

Safety

People

The plant is not considered toxic to humans, though the fruit can cause mild stomach upset if consumed in large quantities.

Children

The small, hard fruits could pose a choking hazard to very small children if ingested.

Contact allergens

The bark and leaves are generally safe, but some individuals may experience mild skin irritation from handling the foliage.

Airborne allergens

The flowers produce a strong, often unpleasant odor that can trigger respiratory sensitivity in some people.

Edibility

The fruit is technically edible but is extremely astringent and generally considered unpalatable for humans.

How to identify it

• Glossy dark green ovate leaves
• Clusters of white five petaled flowers
• Small round brown pome fruits
• Pyramidal growth habit when young
• Brilliant red to purple autumn foliage

Height

9 to 12m

Spread

6 to 9m

Leaves

glossy green, red, purple, deciduous

Flowers

white, 2 to 3cm

Fruit

brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

• Fire blight · A bacterial infection that causes branches to look scorched and die back.
• Weak branch structure · The tree is prone to splitting during high winds or heavy snow due to narrow branch angles.

Growing it

Propagation

seed, cuttings

When to plant

spring, autumn

Because this tree is invasive, it is best to avoid planting it near natural areas where it can outcompete native species.

Grows well with

• Daylily · They tolerate similar soil conditions and provide contrasting textures.

Similar species

• European Pear · It shares a similar genus but produces edible, high quality fruit.

Science

Family

Rosaceae

Genus

Pyrus

Order

Rosales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

China, Korea, and Vietnam.

Conservation

This species is listed as invasive in many states and is not of conservation concern.

It spreads rapidly in disturbed habitats by producing abundant fruit that birds consume and disperse.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

bees

Uses

ornamental street tree, landscape specimen

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is it a good tree for my yard?

It is generally discouraged due to its invasive nature and weak branch structure.

Why does it smell bad?

The flowers produce chemicals like dimethylamine to attract specific pollinators.

Where the name comes from

The species name calleryana honors Joseph Callery, a French missionary who collected specimens in China.

Good to know

• The flowers are notorious for having a scent that many people find quite unpleasant.
• It was originally introduced to the United States as a rootstock for edible pears.
• The tree is incredibly adaptable to poor soils and urban pollution.