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Pyrus communis Epine du Mas - Pear Tree

Pyrus communis Epine du Mas (syn. Duc de Bordeaux)
Common Pear, European Pear

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Ancient, hardy variety, fairly vigorous, with a semi-erect habit, producing beautiful pears with a yellowish-green skin, tinged with pink on the sun-exposed side when ripe. This pear, with its melting, juicy, sweet, and delicately fragrant flesh, is delicious to eat as is. Harvest in October as they ripen. Partially self-fertile pear tree.
Flavour
Sugary
Height at maturity
6 m
Spread at maturity
4 m
Exposure
Sun
Best planting time January, October to November
Recommended planting time January to March, October to December
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Flowering time April
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Harvest time September to October
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Description

The Pear Tree 'Epine du Mas', also known as 'Duc de Bordeaux', is an old variety, hardy, quite vigorous, with high yield and relatively quick fruiting. It produces a fruit of medium size, pear-shaped and regular. Its skin is smooth, quite thick, greenish-yellow, marked with grey spots, then yellow citrine when ripe, with pinkish hues when exposed to sunlight. Its white flesh is fine, melting, juicy, sweet and delicately fragrant, sometimes granular in the centre. Harvesting takes place from late September to mid-October, as the fruits ripen, which can be consumed as soon as they are picked and can be stored until December. Pleasantly tart and rich in sugar, it is a delicious pear to be enjoyed as is. When cooked, it is a variety that lends itself well to many sweet or savoury recipes. It is a partially self-fertile variety, quite susceptible to scab.

Pyrus communis (Common Pear) is a fruit tree belonging to the Rosaceae family. Present in Europe since ancient times, it originates from the forests of Western Asia. In France, pear trees appeared in the 16th century, where during the reign of Louis XIV, several species were cultivated in the royal gardens. Over the centuries, a very large number of cultivars have appeared. Its cultivation is widespread throughout Europe. 'Epine du Mas' or 'Duc de Bordeaux' is said to have originated from a chance seedling around 1803, in the forest of Rochechouart, near the village of Le Mas, in Haute-Vienne.

The Pear Tree 'Epine du Mas' is a tree with semi-upright structure that can reach a height of 4 to 6 metres (13 to 20 feet), producing numerous slightly arched branches. Its habit is well suited for tall forms (on a trunk) or low forms (bush) or espaliers (fan-trained). Its deciduous foliage is composed of large leaves 8 to 10cm (3 to 4in) long, alternate, ovate, shiny green turning yellow-orange in autumn. Flowering occurs in April, which usually puts it out of reach of frost. The white flowers, single, 2 to 3cm (1in) in diameter, grouped in umbels, are nectariferous. They can be destroyed by frost from -2 to -3 °C. It is a hardy tree that can withstand temperatures around -25 °C, and is suitable for cultivation in all regions of France. This Pear Tree is said to be self-sterile or self-incompatible, the flowers cannot self-pollinate. That is why the presence of other pear varieties, nearby, whose flowering occurs at the same time is necessary. For example, the varieties 'Conference', 'Doyenné du Comice', 'Beurré Hardy', 'Beurré Clairgeau', 'Passe-Crassane', 'Williams', 'William Rouge' are suitable for cross-pollination, thereby increasing the number of fruits.

Pears can be consumed both raw and cooked, in compotes, pastries and desserts, in fruit salads or mixed salads, in combination with cheeses or as an accompaniment to savoury dishes, alongside ducks, white meats (poultry and lamb) or game. They are also perfect for making juice or preserved fruits in syrup. Rich in water, pears refresh and quench thirst. Very fleshy, they provide a great satiety. Moderately calorific, they are rich in potassium, calcium and magnesium, with a significant iron content. Their content of vitamins C and E, antioxidants and fiber makes pears a health asset. They are invigorating, energizing and rehydrating. The fruits can be stored until December. Storage can be done in a cool, dry place, protected from light at a temperature around 8 to 10 °C, or in a cold room, sealed off from outside air at a temperature of 1 to 3 °C.

Pyrus domestica 'Epine du Mas' or 'Duc de Bordeaux' likes moist and deep soils, but is afraid of overly permeable and calcareous soils. In order to obtain fruits of good quality, it is necessary to thin the fruits on the tree. Pruning for better aeration, by removing some branches in the centre of the tree, will provide light and give the fruits a beautiful colour. This will also limit the occurrence of diseases. Very popular, thanks to its fruits, the pear tree finds its place in the garden for the pleasure of young and old alike. With a wide range of varieties, it is easy to find the one that best suits your desires.

Pyrus communis Epine du Mas - Pear Tree in pictures

Pyrus communis Epine du Mas - Pear Tree (Harvest) Harvest

Plant habit

Height at maturity 6 m
Spread at maturity 4 m
Growth rate normal

Fruit

Fruit colour yellow
Fruit diameter 8 cm
Flavour Sugary
Use Table, Compote, Patisserie, Cooking
Harvest time September to October

Flowering

Flower colour white
Flowering time April
Inflorescence Umbel
Flower size 3 cm
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour green

Botanical data

Genus

Pyrus

Species

communis

Cultivar

Epine du Mas (syn. Duc de Bordeaux)

Family

Rosaceae

Other common names

Common Pear, European Pear

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference1005721

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Planting and care

Your 'Rpine du Mas' Pear Tree, needing warmth, will be planted sheltered from prevailing winds, especially north of the Loire, and in full sun preferably. Pear trees thrive in fresh, rich soils without stagnant moisture, but they don't appreciate overly dry or chalky soils. Pear trees, like all fruit trees, are ideally planted between October and March, outside of freezing periods. Container-grown trees can be planted year-round, except during periods of high heat or frost.

To plant, loosen the soil deeply, remove rocks and unwanted weeds. Add some gravel to improve drainage if necessary. Dig a wide planting hole at least 3 times the size of the root ball. Separate the subsoil and topsoil. Mix crushed horn and organic matter (potting soil, compost, etc.) with the subsoil and pour this mixture into the bottom of the planting hole. Place the root ball, cover with the topsoil without burying the graft union, then firm it down. Water generously (about 10 litres). It may be beneficial to stake the pear tree by installing a guy wire system: plant 3 stakes in a triangle 50cm (20in) around the trunk, connect them with pieces of wood. Protect the bark with a piece of rubber, for example, and attach the stakes to the trunk with wire. It is also possible to train it on a support (U-shaped espalier or Verrier espalier, for example).

For maintenance, every year in autumn, apply well-rotted compost on the surface. Then, in winter, add a small handful of wood ash, rich in potash, to improve fruiting. Hoe if necessary around the base of the tree. Regularly water, depending on your climate, for the first two or three years.

Pear trees can be susceptible to various diseases and pests. To prevent scab (brown spots on leaves), brown rot (wilting of flowers and rotting of fruit on the tree), and powdery mildew (white powdery coating on leaves), spray with Bordeaux mixture and horsetail decoctions. As for pests, the codling moth or fruit worm, a small caterpillar, can be controlled by installing bird and bat boxes, by placing undulating cardboard strips along the trunk, and by bagging the fruit in brown kraft paper. In case of aphid infestation, spray a mixture of water and black soap.

Planting period

Best planting time January, October to November
Recommended planting time January to March, October to December

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow
Type of use Free-standing, Orchard
Hardiness Hardy down to -20°C (USDA zone 6b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Acidic, Neutral
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light), Rich, well-drained

Care

Pruning instructions The pruning of the pear tree is done every 2 to 3 years (except for espalier forms, where pruning should be done annually and prioritize flower buds). It takes place from November to March, outside the freezing period. To prune, remove any suckers that have grown at the base of the tree and any watersprouts developing on the trunk of the tree. Remove dead or broken branches, as well as those that are crossing each other. Cut back twigs and some inner branches to allow air and light to circulate in the middle. Trim the ends of branches above an outward-facing bud. Apply a clay-type wound dressing to the pruning wounds. In June, when the pears are pre-formed, proceed with thinning: keep only two fruits per cluster, favoring the pears located on the periphery. Your pears will then reach a larger size.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time January to March, June, December
Soil moisture Wet
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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