Nothing beats the abundant white blossoms of the Cleveland pear tree in the spring. Once you plant several Cleveland pear trees in your entryways or driveways, that place will instantly transform into a white fairyland in the spring. Once the leaves turn mahogany red in the fall, the Cleveland pear tree will shower your landscape with its beautiful fall leaves.
You can say that this cultivar is a masterpiece because it offers something spectacular every season. However, there’s just one thing that hinders the Cleveland Pear Tree from reaching its perfection, and that is the fruit. Does the Cleveland pear tree produce fruit? If this also intrigues you, then keep on reading!
What is a Cleveland pear tree?
The Cleveland pear tree is a cultivar of the highly problematic Bradford pear tree and was first introduced to the environment in the 1960s. The problem with Bradford pear trees is that they are very invasive. In fact, many states in the US discourage people from growing these pear trees in their yards, no matter how beautiful they can be in the spring.
Selling Bradford pear trees is actually banned in South Carolina. Not only that, but this tree also has very weak branches that easily fall off after heavy rain or strong wind. This is the reason behind the creation of the Cleveland pear tree. This cultivar will still give you beautiful white flowers in the spring, but at no cost, like high maintenance and weak branches as compared to the Bradford pear tree.
The Cleveland pear tree was created as an ornamental tree, so expect twice the beauty of the invasive Bradford pear tree. The tree can grow to a height of 30-40 feet and can spread up to 15 feet. Cleveland pear tree is remarkable for its beautiful white flowers that fill up every branch of the tree in the spring. The tree is also oval in shape and symmetrical. In a sense, this tree becomes a white Christmas tree in the spring.
The tree produces glossy, oval-shaped green leaves that perfectly go with the white flowers. When fall comes, the tree will showcase another beautiful side of itself with its mahogany red fall leaves. The Cleveland pear tree is also remarkable for being low-maintenance and pest-resistant. This tree has a shorter lifespan, which just makes sense since it’s also fast-growing.
Does the Cleveland pear tree produce fruit?
Recall that the Cleveland pear tree was created to address the problem that comes with planting the Bradford pear tree. The Bradford pear tree is invasive and is easy to grow. Once they bear fruit in the fall, the birds will eat the seeds and spread them everywhere they go.
In just a matter of time, the invasive pear tree has already occupied a certain area. This is probably the reason why the Cleveland pear tree was not created to bear fruit. Yes, you’ve read that right! In general, the Cleveland pear tree does not produce fruit because it’s a seedless variety.
To avoid invasive pear trees from occurring again in the United States, the Cleveland pear tree was intentionally created to bear no fruit. This way, it would be difficult for this pear tree to spread and become invasive. This pear tree is not harmful to the environment, but once it becomes invasive, it will displace native plants and cause ecological disruption.
The Cleveland pear tree is only for ornamental purposes, and you can only enjoy its beauty for 15 to 20 years. After that, the tree will weaken and will eventually die. The pear tree will bloom with white flowers in the spring and grow green leaves in the summer. When fall comes, the flowers will wither, and the leaves will turn mahogany red. That’s it! No fruit that will lead to the second generation of Cleveland pear trees in your neighborhood.
How to grow a Cleveland pear tree
If the Cleveland pear tree produces no fruit, how then can you grow a Cleveland pear tree in your garden? Where did the young Cleveland pear trees in the nursery come from? The only way to grow and propagate the Cleveland pear tree is from cuttings. The best time to do this is during the spring when you can easily spot the new growth that you should cut.
Get a section that has 3 to 4 leaves. The stem cutting process for the Cleveland pear tree is just similar to how you do it with the typical pear tree. The cuttings will take weeks to months before they develop roots, so be patient. Keep the young plant warm and moist.
Does The Cleveland Pear Tree Produce Fruit?: Conclusion
The Cleveland pear tree was created for ornamental purposes only, not to bear fruit and propagate. Breeding the Cleveland pear tree seedless is intentional to avoid another case of invasive pear trees.
So, don’t get disappointed just because you won’t get any fruit from the Cleveland pear tree because you still get to enjoy its beautiful flowers in the spring and its leaves in the autumn. Lining your entryways or driveways with several Cleveland pear trees is still a worthwhile pursuit.
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