Knobbly pears

[John Barnes]

Has anyone seen or heard of a pear like the attached picture?

I stumbled across them in the orchard of a lovely local farmer who has offered us fruit for perry making. Every year it produces these really dimpled and knobbly fruit that could either be due to the tree being old, gnarled and producing strange shaped fruit at the end of it's life or it could be a very distinct and rare old variety.

I said I would try and identify it for him but can find no reference so far.

Thanks

John

[Andrew Lea]

On 03/10/2011 12:06, John Barnes wrote:
> Has anyone seen or heard of a pear like the attached picture?
>
> I stumbled across them in the orchard of a lovely local farmer who
> has offered us fruit for perry making. Every year it produces these
> really dimpled and knobbly fruit that could either be due to the tree
> being old, gnarled and producing strange shaped fruit at the end of
> it's life or it could be a very distinct and rare old variety.

I suspect the knobbly shape may not be the natural growth pattern of the
fruit, but may be due to Rosy Apple Aphid (or its pear equivalent)?
Just my guess - the professional growers here will have a better feel
for that.

If you are within striking distance of Ledbury you may perhaps get some
help this weekend
http://www.bigapple.org.uk/autumntime/harvestime-2011.pdf The Marcher
Apple Network are doing apple ID (which may extend to pears?) and Jim
Chapman the perry pear guru will be there on Sunday.

Andrew

--
Wittenham Hill Cider Page
http://www.cider.org.uk

[Stephen Hayes]

I fear that this is a viral disorder called stony pit

Stephen

Thanks

John

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[Andrew Lea]

[After 5 minutes on Google]

Sad for John, but interesting for the rest of us. But to put it in
perspective, many old fruit trees carry virus infections. It doesn't
necessarily impact adversely on their cider / perry making qualities
(though it might). So it's still worth seeing what you can make from it.

Andrew

BTW I just learnt that Jim Chapman is doing a Perry Pear workshop at
Hartpury on October 29th see
http://www.gloucestershireorchardgroup.org.uk/community/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=190

[PrincessBoo Boo]

Are they big? 

Could they be Pound Pears?  In olde England, Pound pears were baked whole, wrapped in pastry crusts. The keyword is baked; these tough, coarse pears aren’t meant to be eaten out of hand. However, cooking makes their firm, red flesh yummy and smooth. Pound pears keep in storage until spring, making them top-of-the-line winter fare. Also known as Belle Angevine and Uvedale’s St. Germaine, it originated sometime prior to 1690 and may date to Roman days. 

Or small and sweet... could they be robin pear? 

Regards

Princess Boo 

> From: jo...@theorchardpress.co.uk
> Subject: [Cider Workshop] Knobbly pears

[Raymond Blockley]

Hello, Boo!

 

About time you popped up and asked some questions! :-)

 

Hope you are making lots of notes...

 

Cheers, Ray.

--
Ray B

[John Barnes]

Yes they are quite large - about 10cm tall and very hard so it could well be

thanks for all advice

john