Pear Beurré Giffard

Synonyms: Giffard pear

Pear Beurré Giffard (Pyrus communis Beurré Giffard) – an early-summer cultivar of the common pear ((Chamaecyparis lawsoniana). It was discovered by Nicolas Giffard (a breeder of the cultivars Fouassières, La Garenne-Saint-Nicolas) in 1810 in the vicinity of Angers (France).

It is a medium-sized deciduous tree. Crown spherical, sparse, broadly drooping, branches thin. Bark on the trunk dark, peeling. Shoots long, thin, hanging, dark, reddish-brown in color.

Leaves light green, small, oblong-elliptic, with nearly even but slightly wavy margins. Leaf petioles thin, of medium length.

Flowers large, fragrant, with rounded, closely set petals. Blooms early.

Fruits below average size, weighing 75-100 g, shape regular, pear-shaped. Skin tender, thin, green at harvest; at full ripeness becomes greenish-yellow, with a pink blush on the sun-exposed side, and light-brown speckles over the entire surface. The peduncle is long, less often short, thick, with a swelling at the upper end, set straight or obliquely, with pronounced folds at the base, without a depression. The basin is small and shallow, rarely lumpy; the calyx is large, semi-open; sepals large and long. Flesh tender, white, melting in the mouth, sweet-acid, flavor quality high - 4.3-4.6 points. Chemical composition in the fruits: soluble solids - 3.7%, sugars – 8.7%, titratable acids – 0.27%, ascorbic acid – 9.6 mg/100 g, P-active catechins – 46 mg/100 g of fresh mass. Harvest maturity occurs July 20-25. Fruits often set in clusters of 2-6, hold well on the stalk, and ripen simultaneously. Storage life of the fruits – 3-5 days.

Begins to bear fruit in the 6th-7th year on vigorous rootstock. In young age it fruits moderately, but yield increases afterwards. At 12-17 years of age the average yield of trees is 60-80 centners/ha.

Recommended pollinators: "Bergamote Esperen", "Précoce de Trévoux", "Beurré Durondeau", "Dr. Jules Guyot", "Williams".

Hardiness zone: 5 (-26°C).

Site: demanding of soil and environmental conditions. Prefers deep and fertile soils. Less winter-hardy and more warmth-loving than apple. Poorly tolerates early autumn frosts, alternating thaws and frosts, and spring frosts (buds perish at -4 degrees Celsius). Likes loose, moist soil with a small clay content. Prefers sunny but not scorching locations protected from wind.

Planting: plant seedlings preferably in spring, but autumn is also possible. Pear seedlings generally have a poorly developed root system, so during the first 2 years the pear practically does not grow. Soil from the planting hole should be mixed with organic and mineral-potassium fertilizers. Fill the mixture to the edge of the hole. The root collar should be left 3 cm above ground level.

Diseases and pests: the cultivar is resistant to scab. Can be affected by fruit monilia.

Uses: fruits are eaten fresh, used for canning and drying.