Plant Details

Pyrus pyraster

European wild pear

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Pyrus pyraster.

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Common names

3 names · 3 languages
EnglishYour language
  • European wild pear
Other languages (2)
Dutch
  • Wilde peer
French
  • Poirier sauvage
Sources & name notes

Names recorded in our plant catalogue, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

General information

Scientific name: Pyrus pyraster
Taxonomic placement (Kew): Pyrus communis subsp. communis View name reference ↗

This record describes European wild pear. Kew places it within this broader subspecies; cultivated pears have different characteristics.

Sources [1]
Botanical family: Rosaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Pyrus (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: European wild pear

Plant characteristics

Layer: Fruit tree
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 4–8 m

RHS ultimate size range in UK growing conditions; cultivar, rootstock and pruning affect size.

Sources [2]
Spread: 4–8 m

RHS ultimate size range in UK growing conditions; cultivar, rootstock and pruning affect size.

Sources [2]
Growth rate: Moderate
Foliage: Deciduous
Sources [2]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 5-9
Soil moisture:
Moist, Well-drained

Preferred growing conditions. Moisture and drainage are different properties; well-drained soil is not necessarily dry.

Sources [2]
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Partial shade, Full sun

Uses

Edible parts:
Fruit
Edibility rating:
(3)
Medicinal rating:
(0)
Functions:
None

Description

European wild pear is a deciduous tree. Its hard fruit softens as it ripens after falling; fruit is also used in cooked preserves. UK horticultural guidance describes fruit falling in late summer to early autumn. Wild trees can become substantially larger than small garden specimens.

Sources [2] [3]

Harvest

Harvest starts: 15/09
Harvest ends: 31/10

Crown

Crown shape: Broad ovoid
Crown density: Dense crown

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: WCVP version 16, wcvp_names.csv: Pyrus pyraster (L.) Burgsd., name ID 2964035, row 845922; Pyrus communis subsp. communis , name ID 3266015, row 934277
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 325731; name ID 2962753; Pyrus L.. Family column.

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Royal Horticultural Society Pyrus pyraster | wild pear
    Relevant sections
    • Description: Description; Foliage; Cultivation; Potentially harmful, where applicable
    • Soil moisture: Growing conditions: Moisture; Cultivation
    • Height: Size > Max Height
    • Spread: Size > Max Spread
    • Foliage: Botanical details > Foliage

    Source checked on .

  3. EUFORGEN European Forest Genetic Resources Programme Pyrus pyraster — Wild pear
    Supports: Description
    Relevant sections
    • Description: Species description; wild-pear conservation and hybridization

    Source checked on .