Pear 'Fondante d'Automne' Pyrus communis 'Fondante d'Automne' (D)
ABOUT
'Fondante d'Automne' has fruit with fine, melting, juicy, well-flavoured flesh with smooth, russetted, pale green and yellow skin. Pollination group 3; season of use late September and October
About this plant
NamesFamily
Rosaceae
Synonyms
European Pear, Common Pear
Common names
Pyrus communis 'Fondante d’Automne'.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
12-20 feet (3.7-6 meters)
Spread
12-20 feet (3.7-6 meters)
Plant type
Tree
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Asia Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Value: Pyrus communis 'Fondante d'Automne', commonly known as the European pear, offers aesthetic appeal to gardens with its attractive blossoms and foliage.
- Edible Fruit: It produces edible pears that can be consumed fresh, cooked, or preserved, providing a source of homegrown food.
- Wildlife Attraction: The flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinating insects, while the fruit can attract birds and other wildlife to the garden.
- Shade Provider: As a tree, it can offer shade in landscapes, reducing local temperature and providing relief on hot days.
- Seasonal Interest: With its spring blossoms and autumn fruit, it adds seasonal interest to gardens and landscapes.
- Wood Use: The wood of the European pear can be utilized for woodturning and carving, appreciated for its fine grain and hardness.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Pear wood from Pyrus communis can be used for high-quality woodworking, such as in the creation of musical instruments and fine furniture due to its density and hardness.
- The tree can be planted as part of a mixed wildlife-friendly hedge, which can act as a habitat to numerous bird and insect species.
- Grafting stock; the Pyrus communis is often used as a rootstock for grafting other pear cultivars to control the size of the tree and improve disease resistance.
- Floral arrangements; the branches of the pear tree, especially when in flower or bearing small fruits, can be used as attractive natural décor.
- Leaves of the pear tree are sometimes used in composting as they break down and enrich the soil with nutrients.
- Dye production; the bark of the tree can be used to make a natural dye for textiles.
- The tree's presence in an orchard or garden can act as a pollinator attractor, drawing bees and other pollinators which are beneficial to the ecosystem and agriculture.
- Pyrus communis can be utilized in permaculture design as part of a food forest or edible landscaping due to its perennial nature and production of food.
- Wood turnery; the fine-grained wood of the pear tree can be turned on a lathe to make intricate wooden items like goblets or art pieces.
- Windbreaks; in agricultural settings, rows of pear trees can be planted to protect crops from wind damage.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Pear tree is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Pear tree is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Prosperity: The pear tree, of which 'Fondante d'Automne' is a cultivar, is often associated with wealth and abundance due to its fruitfulness and the value of its delicious pears.
- Longevity: Pear trees can live for many years, producing fruit for several decades, which makes them a symbol of long life and endurance.
- Fertility and Fecundity: Pears, as a fruit-bearing species, are natural symbols of fertility and fecundity, representing the potential for new life and growth.
- Affection and Love: In some cultures, the pear is seen as a symbol of love and affection, possibly because of the fruit's sweet taste and pleasing shape.
- Health: Pears are rich in nutrients and fiber, making them emblematic of health and well-being.
WaterEuropean pear trees, including the 'Fondante d'Automne' variety, should be watered deeply once a week during the growing season if there isn't significant rainfall. Check the soil moisture by feeling the soil; it should be moist but not saturated. Depending on the soil type and weather, this might correspond to 1 to 2 gallons per week for young trees and up to 10 gallons for mature trees. During the dormant season, watering can be reduced as the tree requires less moisture. Increase watering if there are extended periods of hot or dry weather.
LightThe 'Fondante d'Automne' pear tree, or European pear, flourishes in full sun, which means it requires at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. The best location for planting is an area with clear exposure to the sun, away from buildings or larger trees that could cast shade. Adequate light ensures good fruit production and helps maintain the overall health of the tree.
TemperatureThe 'Fondante d'Automne' pear tree prefers moderate climates and typically grows well in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 7. It can endure winter temperatures as low as -20°F and is dormant during this period. Pear trees generally prefer a growing season with temperatures ranging from 75°F to 85°F, but they can survive summer highs up to 90°F. They need a period of chill in winter to break dormancy and stimulate spring flowering.
PruningPruning a 'Fondante d'Automne' pear tree helps maintain its shape, remove dead or diseased branches, and encourage better fruit yields. Prune the trees in late winter or early spring before the buds break. Thinning out crowded branches every year promotes good air circulation and sunlight penetration, which are essential for the health and productivity of the tree. The best time for major pruning is when the tree is dormant to minimize stress.
CleaningNot needed
SoilEuropean Pear 'Fondante d'Automne' thrives best in well-draining, loamy soil with a pH ranging from 6.0 to 7.5; a mix with compost and aged manure promotes healthy growth.
RepottingEuropean Pear 'Fondante d'Automne' trees, when grown in containers, should be repotted every 3 to 5 years or when root bound.
Humidity & MistingEuropean Pear 'Fondante d'Automne' does well in average outdoor humidity levels; it does not have specific humidity requirements.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Grow European Pear 'Fondante d'Automne' in large pots with ample sunlight.
Outdoor
Plant 'Fondante d'Automne' in full sun, well-draining soil.
Hardiness zone
European Pear 'Fondante d'Automne' is suited for 4-8 USDA zones.
Life cycleEuropean Pear 'Fondante d'Automne' is a deciduous fruit tree that begins its life cycle as a seed, which, under suitable conditions, germinates in the soil to form a seedling. The seedling grows into a young sapling through nutrient uptake and photosynthesis, and after several years, it matures into a fruit-bearing tree. During spring, the mature tree produces white or pinkish flowers that get pollinated by insects, leading to the development of pears. These pears mature throughout the summer and are typically ready to harvest by late summer or early autumn. After fruiting, the tree enters a dormant period during the winter, where it conserves energy and rests. This cycle repeats annually, with the tree living and producing fruit for many years, sometimes even surpassing a century.
PropogationPropogation time
Autumn
Pyrus communis 'Fondante d'Automne', commonly known as the European pear 'Fondante d'Automne', is best propagated through grafting, particularly during the dormant season in late winter or early spring. The most popular method involves taking a scion, which is a short length of one-year-old growth, from a healthy 'Fondante d'Automne' pear and grafting it onto a compatible rootstock. The scion should have a few buds and should be around 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 centimeters) long. The grafting technique, such as whip-and-tongue or cleft graft, is executed by making precise cuts on both the scion and the rootstock, ensuring a tight fit and maximum cambial contact. After joining the scion to the rootstock, the graft union is secured with grafting tape and allowed to heal, eventually allowing the scion wood to grow and produce the true 'Fondante d'Automne' pear fruit on a sturdy root system.
