Chinese Sand Pear Seeds

currently unavailable Long Live the Mountain Pear

About 30 years ago I started growing a few plants of this species of pear from wild seed collected in the mountains of Japan. I had heard that this species grows in great abundance in high elevation rocky areas. It is said to be the progenitor of the cultivated Asian pears called subspecies culta. Culta has a slower growth habit than other pears. Its open structure with wide spaced branches make it shaped like a pine tree with few laterals. In flower its thick spur-type branches are clothed in white. Trees have a few short side branches and eventually form a stout tree to 20 to 40 ft. with a straight growth habit. Some of these trees are 8 ft. tall after 20 years. The fruit is late ripening, juicy, tart, and highly gritty. Not too good for humans but the deer like them despite their toughness. Further research has revealed some compounds that help in having the body remove toxins from alcohol poisoning. It also has many types of anthocyanins within it. The flavor is pretty much impossible to consume fresh.

The tree has potential as rootstock as well as fruit production for its health related properties as well as a food for wildlife and domesticated animals.  Further grow outs would reveal the potential of this unique fruit. Some issues surrounding fire blight has been solved and it could be possible to find plants able to tolerate even warmer and moisture laden climates.