Four-Year Evaluation of Five Cultivars of Pyrus Calleryana    (View PDF)

John E. Kuser, Gary Robinson, and Nicholas Polanin

Abstract: In November 1995, five cultivars of Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana: 'Aristocrat', 'Capital', 'Chanticleer', 'Redspire', and 'Whitehouse') were planted within parkinglot traffic islands at Livingston College, a Piscataway campus of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, U.S. During the next four years, the trees were observed each spring from bud break to flowering, and again each fall. Measurements of growth patterns as well as observational attributes of the cultivars were recorded. 'Aristocrat' flushed growth a few days earlier than the others, occasionally suffering frost damage to flowers. Its vertical growth was slower when compared to the other cultivars, with a wider branch angle, a distinctly lower, broader crown, and a deep purple-red fall color in contrast to the orange-reds of the other cultivars. 'Aristocrat' was the only cultivar in the study to display branch angle attachments necessary for storm resistance and growth success. 'Chanticleer' grew the fastest of the five and had the narrowest branch angles. 'Redspire' was intermediate in growth, somewhat open, with fairly narrow branch angles. 'Capital' and 'Whitehouse' were comparatively dense and heavy blooming; it was difficult to distinguish between them.

Keywords: Callery pear; Pyrus calleryana; 'Aristocrat'; 'Capital'; 'Chanticleer'; 'Redspire'; 'Whitehouse'; cultivar attributes and selection; branch angle.

https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.2001.011