Leaves as thin and long as an olive’s droop from branches that, on weeping cultivars, trail all the way to the ground. The willow-leaf pear (Pyrus salicifolia) is a first-rate ornamental scaled for a small garden: plant it in full sun and it asks for the secateurs only when shade pushes it out of balance.
Usually, Fall is preferable to any other season. Follow the typical steps for planting a tree.
For this species, you’ll only need to prune whenever you notice the tree is growing out of balance. This happens in shaded gardens.
During the growing phase, you can also cut dead wood off if you notice any. It helps to clear the center of the tree out if it gets too lush and bushy.
Thin, long leaves like those of an olive tree or a weeping willow hang from branches that on some cultivars trail down to the ground. The willow-leaf pear (Pyrus salicifolia) is an outstanding ornamental, just the right size for a small garden: give it full sun and it asks for the secateurs only when shade throws it out of balance.
| Task or event | Best time | What it involves |
|---|---|---|
| Planting | Fall | Fall is preferable to any other season; follow the usual steps for planting a tree |
| Balancing prune | Fall, at the beginning of the dormant season | Select the branches and how far back to cut, then cut about an inch (2 cm) above a joint or bud |
| Removing dead wood | During the growing phase | Cut dead wood off if you notice any, and clear the centre out if it gets too lush and bushy |
| Flowering and fruiting | early spring to mid-spring | Abundant blooming; nearby pear species cross-pollinate it and trigger lots of fruiting |
| Leaf fall | Winter | The thin, long leaves are deciduous and drop for the winter |
Apart from these moments, the tree asks for very little attention.
Leaves are thin and long, sort of like those of the olive tree or the weeping willow. They’re deciduous, though, meaning they’ll fall in Winter.
Some cultivars, those easily found in garden stores, also have a weeping habit. These are called weeping willowleaf pear, or Pyrus salicifolia ‘Pendula’. Branches trail down to the ground and produce a very nice effect.
The blooming is particularly abundant, and, if other pear tree species are nearby, cross-pollination will trigger lots of fruiting. However, these fruits are hard and bland. They’re not poisonous, but they aren’t very good to eat, either.
Currently, the species is endangered in its native habitat. As some botanical specialists say, planting them in your garden can help preserve the species from utter destruction!
For this pear tree species, you can graft a branch of common pear to a side branch it and get a few delicious pears!
