History

• Wild pear trees that eventually led to the major fruiting species known as the common pear (Pyrus communis) originated in Europe and Asia. By 1000 B.C., the common pear was cultivated in Europe. Early colonists brought the first pear trees to America. The trees thrived along the East Coast, until diseases such as fireblight nearly wiped out the species in the 1800s.
  
  Fortunately, pioneers traveling to the Pacific Northwest brought pear trees with them and encountered better growing conditions. Now 90 percent of the commercial pear crop is grown in Northern California, Oregon and Washington. However, home gardeners continue to grow pear trees nationwide. Luscious pear trees, first introduced in South Dakota in 1973, do well in cold climates and resist fireblight.
  
  

Characteristics

• The Luscious pear tree is a cross between two cold-tolerant cultivars, the Ewart pear (also called "Karl's Favorite") and a variety known as E31. It does well in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 4 to 8. Oval in form, a Luscious pear grows up to 45 feet tall and 30 feet wide and can live about 50 years. In spring, it is blanketed in clusters of white flowers with purple anthers that develop into small, yellow-green pears. Otten Brothers says that the glossy green foliage turns deep purple in autumn. Even if the tree is mainly grown for its ornamental look, the abundant fruit should be picked to avoid messes on walkways. Its dessert-quality pears have a Bartlett flavor and taste good fresh or cooked.
  
  

Sterile Pollen

• Insects pollinate pear trees of which there are three kinds: self-pollinating, cross-pollinating and ones with sterile pollen. If planting a sterile variety, such as the Luscious pear, it is necessary to have another pear tree nearby that has fertile pollen for insects to distribute to the Luscious pear. Unless the other pear tree is a self-pollinating variety, such as a Kieffer pear, it won't fruit unless there is a third cross-pollinating variety nearby. Another alternative, according to the University of California, is to graft a branch of a cross-pollinating species onto the Luscious pear tree.
  
  

Pollinators

• Summercrisp is a common pear variety that the North Dakota State University recommends planting near a Luscious pear. When selecting a pollinating variety, it is necessary to choose one that flowers at about the same time as the Luscious pear. This means selecting a cold-hardy variety that blooms in early May. Aside from the Summercrisp, another cold-hardy variety on the same bloom schedule is the Parker pear.