Pyrus communis Comtesse de Paris - Pear Tree

The 'Comtesse de Paris' Pear Tree is a self-fertile variety considered to be a very good pollinator for other pear trees. These qualities, along with its reasonably fast fruiting, make this fruit tree a good candidate for starting an orchard. The pear is fairly large in size, covered in a green skin with freckles, and has a slightly grainy but tasty and melting flesh. Harvest takes place late, at the end of October, and the fruits can be stored until January if carefully picked and stored in a cool place.

The pear tree is a tree native to central Asia and has been 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 'Comtesse de Paris' Pear Tree is an old variety obtained by Mr. Fourcine, a horticulturist from Dreux, in 1882. It is not very susceptible to diseases and is very fertile, making it still interesting for starting or completing an orchard.

If it is not prone to frost, the 'Comtesse de Paris' Pear Tree will still appreciate protected and sunny locations, avoiding frosty and windy situations. Easy to grow, it likes moist and deep soils, but it dislikes excessively draining and limestone soils. In winter, provide the tree with a handful of wood ash, rich in potash, which will improve flowering and fruit quality. This practice can be extended to your entire orchard. The flowering is late, occurring in April, and is protected from frost. Being self-fertile, the proximity of other pear trees is not necessary for fruiting, but the presence of other pear trees nearby will increase productivity. The very common 'William's' and 'Conference' varieties will fulfill this role very well.

This variety produces fairly large and plump fruits, with a thick and rough skin that has a color ranging from green to yellow, dotted with numerous small bronze spots. In the mouth, the flesh is melting and juicy, with a slightly spicy aroma balanced with sweetness. This flavour makes this pear suitable for making sweet and savoury dishes, such as accompanying game meat, for example.