Pyrus communis Grise Bonne - Pear Tree

The Pear Tree 'Grise Bonne' or 'Dobra Szara' (Pyrus communis 'Bon Gris') is a very old variety of pear tree originating from France. This fruit tree produces small conical pears with a greenish-yellow skin sprinkled with brown freckles. Their flesh is juicy, sweet, tangy, with a unique spicy aftertaste. They are harvested from late August, every other year. This pear tree is also valued for its longevity, great hardiness, and resistance to scab. It is a partially self-fertile variety that requires the presence of other pear tree varieties nearby to enhance pollination and increase fruit yield.

Pyrus communis 'Grise Bonne' or 'Dobra Szara' is also known as 'Gute Graue', 'Graue', 'Sommerblutterbirne', 'Graapaere' in various countries. The wild species Pyrus communis (Common Pear) is a deciduous tree belonging to the Rosaceae family. Present in Europe since antiquity, it originates from the forests of Western Asia. Over the centuries, a vast number of cultivars have emerged. Its cultivation is widespread in Europe.

The 'Grise Bonne' Pear Tree is a fruit tree with a conical habit, a high and wide crown and vigorous growth, reaching a height of 6 to 8 m and a width of 4 to 6 m. It is a variety originating from France, cultivated since 1675. From there, the trees and fruits arrived in Germany under the name 'Beurre gris' as early as the 18th century. This summer pear is also known in Germany by other names such as 'Grey Pear', 'Grey Summer Butter Pear', 'Grisbirne', 'Summer Ambrette', or 'Schöne Gabriele'. Its massive flowering starts in April. The flowers are arranged in corymbs, each measuring between 2 and 3 cm wide. These flowers, although slightly frost-sensitive due to their earliness, lead to the formation of small conical fruits.

The pears of 'Grise Bonne' have a greenish-yellow skin almost entirely covered with brown and rough freckles. Their yellowish-white or dull white flesh is creamy, juicy, and tasty, with a granular texture at the core. They have a sweet-tangy taste with a spicy aftertaste and hints of cinnamon. The fruit harvesting period starts from late August, and they are ready to be consumed from mid-September. The fruits are characterised by a small to medium size, an ovoid to elliptical shape, with a base colour ranging from green to greenish-yellow, turning cinnamon brown when ripe.

The foliage of this 'Grise Bonne' pear tree is shiny green in summer and turns orange-yellow in autumn, adding a touch of colour to the garden. The bark is smooth and greyish, slightly cracking with age. The 'Grise Bonne' pear tree lives for many years, is robust, and adapts to most garden soils, although it prefers sandy-loamy soil. It can be grown in mountainous areas up to an altitude of 700 metres.

This Pear Tree is said to be self-sterile or self-incompatible, as the flowers cannot self-pollinate. Hence, the presence of other pear tree varieties nearby, flowering at the same time, is necessary. For example, varieties like 'Louise Bonne d'Avranches', 'Clapp's Favorite', and 'Beurré Hardy' are suitable for cross-pollination, thereby increasing fruit yield.

The 'Grise Bonne' pear tree is a variety that produces every two years. The fruits can be consumed raw or cooked, in compotes, pastries, desserts, fruit salads, paired with cheeses, or as an accompaniment to savoury dishes, alongside duck, white meats (poultry and lamb), or game. The pear is also perfect for making juices or fruit syrups. Rich in water, pears refresh and quench thirst. They are very fleshy and satisfying. Moderately calorific, they are rich in potassium, calcium, and magnesium, with a significant iron content. Their content of vitamins C and E, antioxidants, and fibres make pears a healthy choice. They are invigorating, energising, and rehydrating. Storage can be done in a cool, clean place, away from light at a temperature around 8 to 10°C, or in a cold room, sealed from external air at a temperature of 1 to 3°C.

This fruit tree prefers deep soils and dislikes poor, overly draining, dry, and calcareous soils. To obtain high-quality fruits, thin to reduce the number of fruits on the tree. Aeration pruning, by removing some branches in the centre of the tree, will provide light and give a beautiful colour to the fruits. This will also limit disease. Very popular for its fruits, the pear tree finds a place in the garden for the enjoyment of both young and old. With a wide range of pear trees, it is easy to find the one that best suits your desires.