Pyrus communis Précoce Morettini - Pear Tree

The Early Pear Morettini or Early Morettini Beurre Pear Tree is an Italian variety, fertile and vigorous, ensuring good regular yields. It produces a medium-sized fruit (about 140 grams), with an elongated pear shape and a irregularly bumpy surface. Its skin is smooth, thin, shiny, yellowish green, tinted with carmine pink when exposed to the sun, and dotted with reddish-brown lenticels. Its white flesh is soft, juicy, very sweet, and delicately perfumed. Harvesting takes place from early August to early September, the fruits are consumed as soon as they are picked and only keep for a few days. With its buttery texture and sweet-bitter flavors with a hint of lemon, it is a dessert pear, delicious to eat as is. When cooked, it is suitable for many sweet or savory recipes, for making excellent pear syrup, or for preserving pears in syrup. It is a partially self-fertile variety that requires the presence of other pear varieties nearby to improve pollination and increase the number of fruits. Excellent pollinator for other varieties.

Pyrus communis (Common Pear) is a fruit tree belonging to the Rosaceae family. Present in Europe since ancient times, it originates from forests in Western Asia. In France, pear trees appeared in the 16th century, where during the reign of Louis XIV, several species were cultivated in the king's gardens. Over the centuries, a very large number of cultivars have appeared. Its cultivation is widespread in Europe.

The Early Morettini variety, also known as Early Morettini Beurre or Early Morettini Burtirra, was obtained by Mr. Alessandro Morettini in 1956, in Florence (Italy), and is the result of cross-breeding between the William's Bon Chrétien and Coscia varieties. This pear tree forms an upright tree with a pyramidal crown, reaching approximately 5 metres (16 feet) in height and 4 metres (13 feet) in width at maturity, producing numerous branches. Its habit is suitable for high forms (standard), low forms (bush), or trained forms (espalier). Its deciduous foliage consists of large leaves, 8 to 10 cm (3 to 4in) long, with an alternate arrangement, ovate in shape, and shiny green, turning yellow-orange in autumn. Flowering occurs in April, which usually protects it from frost. The white flowers, single, 2 to 3 cm (1in) in diameter, grouped in umbels, are nectar-bearing. They can be damaged by frost at temperatures below -2 to -3°C (28.4 to 26.6°F). It is a hardy tree that withstands temperatures around -25°C (-13°F). This Pear tree is considered self-sterile or self-incompatible, as the flowers cannot fertilise themselves. That is why the presence of other pear varieties, in close proximity, whose flowering occurs at the same time, is necessary. For example, varieties Beurré Hardy, Conference, Doyenné du Comice, Jules Guyot, Louise Bonne d'Avranches, William's Bon Chrétien, William's Rouge are suitable for cross-pollination, thus increasing the number of fruits.

The Early Morettini Pear is a variety with high yield, very fertile, quick to bear fruit, with abundant and regular fruiting. Harvesting begins from late July, and the fruits are consumed as soon as they are picked as they ripen. Pears can be eaten raw or cooked, in compotes, in pastries and desserts, in fruit salads or mixed salads, paired with cheeses or as an accompaniment to savory dishes, alongside duck, white meats (poultry and lamb), or game. They are also perfect for making juice or preserving in syrup. Rich in water, pears are refreshing and hydrating. With their fleshy texture, they provide a great feeling of satiety. Moderately caloric, they are rich in potassium, calcium, and magnesium, with a significant iron content. Containing vitamins C and E, antioxidants, and fiber, pears are a health asset. They are invigorating, energizing, and rehydrating. It is best to harvest the fruits a few days before they fully ripen, as they do not over-ripen quickly, but they can only be stored for a few days, or even a few weeks if the storage conditions are optimal.

Very popular for its fruits, pear trees find their place in the garden to the delight of young and old. With a wide range of pear trees, it is easy to find the variety that best suits one's desires.