Pyrus communis St Jean - Pear Tree

The St Jean Pear Tree is a variety of medium vigour and productive. It produces fruits of about 6.5 cm (3in) in diameter, pear-shaped, obtuse and ventral, well regular, with a long peduncle. Their skin is light yellow, dotted with russet points and tinted pale pink when ripe. Their white flesh is semi-fine, juicy, sweet, with a slightly pronounced musky scent, very pleasant. The harvest is early, from mid-June to July. Its pears do not keep well. The St Jean Pear Tree is not self-fertile.

The pear tree is a tree native to central Asia, cultivated in China for 6,000 years. It was introduced to Europe around the 6th century. While its development in the Middle Ages remained limited, there were already 200 varieties during the Renaissance. Since then, the number of varieties has continued to increase. The St Jean Pear Tree is a variety of pear tree first described in 1660 by Claude Mollet, in Fontainebleau, in the garden of Henri IV and Louis XIII.

If it is not frost-tolerant, the St Jean Pear Tree will appreciate sheltered and sunny locations, avoid frost-prone and windy situations. Easy to grow, it likes fresh and deep soils, but dislikes excessively draining and limestone soils. In winter, give it a handful of wood ash, rich in potash, it will improve flowering and fruit quality.
Its upright habit gives it a tall and slender harmonious silhouette. Its oval-shaped leaves, finely toothed on the edge, have a petiole as long as the lamina and measure about 8 to 9 cm (3 to 4in). Its white flowering occurs in March. Its flowers are formed of 5 white petals. They are not self-fertile. It is therefore necessary to plant another pear tree nearby, preferably within a radius of 50 m (164ft). Its main pollinators are the William's and Louise Bonne varieties.

This variety produces fruits of about 6.5 cm (3in) in diameter, pear-shaped, obtuse and ventral, well regular. Their skin is light yellow, dotted with russet points and tinted pale pink when ripe. Their white flesh is semi-fine, juicy, sweet, with a slightly pronounced musky scent, very pleasant.

The pears can be eaten fresh, in syrup, in pastries, in jam and compotes, and can be used to make alcoholic beverages, ...