Pyrus communis Williams - Pear Tree

The 'William's' Organic Pear Tree is the most cultivated variety in the world due to its adaptability and ease of cultivation. The excellent taste quality of its large pears and their ability to be stored for a long time are also factors contributing to its wide distribution. Its fruits, yellow when ripe, sometimes speckled with russet, offer a fine, juicy, melting, sweet and fragrant flesh, remarkably aromatic. Quite large, with a diameter of about 7cm (3in), round and stocky, they can be picked as early as August and can be perfectly stored until November, either in a well-ventilated cellar or in the refrigerator. This variety is a very good pollinator for most other pear trees. Its fruiting will be improved by planting a 'Conference' or 'Guyot' pear tree nearby. Plants from Organic Agriculture.

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. The 'William's' Pear, or 'William's Bon Chrétien', or also called 'Bartlett' in the USA, originates from the United Kingdom (1796). It is the work of an English schoolteacher, Stair Wheeler, from a natural seedling in his garden. It wasn't until the early 19th century that this variety spread thanks to a nurseryman named Williams from Turnham.

The 'William's' Organic Pear Tree will appreciate protected and sunny locations, avoiding frost-prone and windy situations. Easy to grow, it likes fresh and deep soils, but it dislikes excessively draining and chalky soils. In winter, give it a scoop of wood ash, rich in potash, to improve flowering and fruit quality.
Its semi-upright habit gives it a very elegant pyramid shape, which is practical for harvesting. Its leaves have an oval lamina, finely toothed on the edge, with a petiole as long as the lamina, measuring about 8 to 9cm (3 to 4in).
Its flowering is late, starting in early April, protecting it from frosts. Its flowers are formed of 5 white-pink petals. If they are self-fertile, it is strongly recommended to plant another pear tree nearby. Indeed, pear trees are more inclined to cross-pollination. The most commonly used pollinators are the 'Doyenné du Comice', 'Conference', 'Packams', 'Guyot', 'Giffard', 'General Leclerc', and 'Alexandrine Douillard' varieties. However, it is incompatible with 'Louise Bonne' and 'Williams Rouge'. Being entomophilous, pollination is mainly carried out by bees.
This variety provides a very good yield. It ripens early, in August. Its fruits can be eaten fresh, as well as used for making jam and compotes with vanilla, in desserts or pies. It is also used to make excellent brandy.

Designed for organic cultivation, the 'William's' Organic Pear Tree will thrive under certain conditions. To avoid diseases and pests, you will need to:
- choose a deep, light, rich, and well-drained soil,
- avoid planting in an area where other woody plants have been grown before,
- prune to promote tree ventilation,
- thin out to prevent the development of diseases on the fruits,
- add compost in autumn, in limited quantities depending on the richness of your soil, and incorporate it into the soil,
- plant multi-species hedges (except Prunus), piles of stones and wood, and nest boxes (for birds, voles, and bats) to attract beneficial insects.
In case of diseases, it will be necessary to remove and burn the affected parts. 'William's' Pear Tree is susceptible to scab, but not very sensitive to Fire Blight, and quite resistant to Stemphylium and Pseudomonas syringae. In case of scab attacks, a half-dose Bordeaux mixture spray should be applied.

Pears can be eaten fresh, in syrup, in pastries, in jam and compotes, and can be used to make alcohol, ...

For transportation reasons, our tallest grafts may be pruned before shipment. They are suitable for all common training sizes: cordons, espaliers, goblets, half-standards, and low standards, except for high standards. If you would like more information or advice on training your fruit trees, please do not hesitate to contact us.