Woody > Pyrus > Pyrus calleryana > Pyrus calleryana 'Capital'
Pyrus calleryana
'Capital'
Captial Pear
Origin: This species is native to China. It was bred crossing other pear trees for improved flowers. It was brought to North America to combat Fire blight and has become more and more popular as an ornamental tree.
Mike's
Opinion
"
This small, compact and narrow tree is good for all landscaping uses and is fairly tolerant of a wide variety of site conditions. Beautiful in flower, and with stunning autumn colour its only deficiency is its weak branch structure.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Rosaceae |
| Genus |
| Pyrus |
| Species |
| calleryana |
| Cultivar |
| 'Capital' |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Tree (deciduous) |
| Pronunciation |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 5-9 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 6-9 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| -28 |
| Temperature (°F) |
| -20 |
| Height |
| 11 m |
| Spread |
| 3 m |
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| A compact columnar deciduous ornamental tree with great spring blossom and autumn foliage. Small to medium in size and increasingly popular in landscapes. Produces a small, hard and brown fruit, inedible to humans but liked by birds. |
| Landscape |
| Often used in streetscapes and small gardens. Also common in industrial and office parks. Often found in car-parks, medians, private and public domains. This ornamental tree is favoured for its beautiful flowers and attractive foliage. Is useful for small narrow spaces. |
| Cultivation |
| This is a popular tree throughout North America. Typically used as an ornamental tree in suburban communities, office parks, and industry parks. This tree is tolerant to cool weather and a wide variety of soil types from heavy and moist soils to dry and acidic soils. |
| Shape |
| A small to medium sized tree. Narrow, domed columnar form, with branches ascending. |
| Growth |
| Medium |
| ID Characteristic |
| The Capitol Callery Pear is narrow compact tree with a full, oval-shaped crown. Known for it’s brilliant scarlet autumn foliage and beautiful white flowers in the spring. |
| Pests |
| Resistant to most diseases and pest problems. This tree is also fire blight resistant. |
| Habitat |
| Horticultural origin. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| Greyish-brown in colour, lightly furrowed thin and easy to damage. Early pruning makes trunk structure strong. As the tree ages thorns can be found on the bark. The bark of this tree is coarse and irregular. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description |
| These buds are found in heavy clusters throughout the tree. They start out deep pink in colour and turn white as they develop. |
| Leaf Description |
| Broadly ovate leaves, excellent dark green glossy summer foliage. Brilliant burgundy to scarlet autumn foliage. The leaves are simple and approximately 4-7 cm long. |
| Flower Description |
| Capital Pear trees are heavily flowered in the early spring. Flowers are 2-3 cm in diameter, and generally have 5 petals. Flowers group together in a cone-like shape, and produce an unpleasant smell. |
| Fruit Description |
| This non-appealing fruit is less than 1 cm in diameter, brown in colour and almost woody in texture. It’s too hard to be edible but is favoured by birds. The late autumn frost softens the fruit. |
| Colour Description |
| Capital pear trees have greyish-brown bark, dark green to scarlet foliage and beautiful white-grey flowers. |
| Texture Description |
| Medium texture. |
| Notable Specimens |
| A.M. (Mac) Cuddy Garden, Strathroy, Ontario. |
| Propagation |
| Grafted. |
References
Connon Nurseries, Waterdown, Ontario.
Eising Nurseries, Port Dover, Ontario.
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