Williams Summer Pear

Synonyms: Duchesse d'Été, Bon-Crétien Williams, Bartlett

Williams Summer Pear – a classic late-summer pear. The variety was bred by Willer in 1796 in the English county of Berkshire. In 1816 Richard Williams presented this variety to the London society for the cultivation of gardens and fruit crops. Since 1828 the variety spread from France throughout Europe. It is widely grown in Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. Recognized as a world standard, a benchmark for other summer cultivars. Ideally suited for commercial, homestead and amateur cultivation.

The tree is medium- to weak-growing, with a broad-pyramidal crown, well-leafed and asymmetrical. Bark gray, smooth. Shoots thick, arching or straight; lenticels few, medium-sized, light yellow. Leaves ovate, large, smooth, shortly pointed, glossy, slightly folded like a "boat". Leaf tip short, margins finely serrated. Leaf buds pointed, short, slightly separate from the shoot, seated on swollen cushions.

Flowers medium-sized, grouped 6-7 per inflorescence. Blooms late and for a long period. Flowers are not very sensitive to weather conditions.

Fruits medium to large, 170-180 g, oblong-pyriform, with slight surface knobbiness. Skin thin, shiny, fragrant, light green at harvest, at ripeness waxy-yellow with small gray dots, sometimes with a slight blush on the sun-facing side and rusty spots radiating toward the poles. Peduncle medium in length, slightly curved, thick, sometimes with a flared end. Calyx small, open or semi-open. Core elliptical, small, weakly defined. Seed cavities medium, oblong-oval, tapered toward the base of the fruit, core axis hollow. Seeds ovate, small, dark brown. Flesh yellowish-white, melting in the mouth, tender, juicy, wine-sweet in flavor with a muscat aroma, excellent dessert quality. Fruits set in pairs or threes, remain firmly on the tree, well attached to the peduncle. Harvest maturity - in the second decade of August. Handle transport well; refrigerated storage up to 45 days.

The variety is self-sterile. Best pollinizers: Forest Beauty, Klapp's Favorite, Olivier de Serres.

Begins bearing early: when grafted onto pear – in 5-6 years, onto quince – in 3-4 years. Yield depends on growing location, ranging from 69 kg to 250 kg per tree at 17-20 years of age.

Hardiness zone 6a

Location: undemanding to soil, but grows well on fertile, rich soils with good groundwater supply. In youth requires protection from severe frosts. Sensitive to atmospheric drought. Prefers sites sheltered from strong winds.

Pruning: pruning is similar to that for common pear.

Diseases and pests: moderately affected by scab, not resistant to aphids and pear psylla.

Use: the variety is widely used in breeding. Fruits are versatile; canned or dried they have excellent appearance, superior texture and good taste.