What Is the Color of the Pear Tree's Bark?

Bark

• The bark of a younger pear tree is gray-brown in color and smooth textured. As the tree matures, the color darkens and the texture becomes rough and scaly. The color of young bark sometime exhibits a more reddish-brown shade. Older bark develops shallow furrows and the scaly ridges are flat-topped. The bark of the ornamental pear tree or callery pear tree is similar in appearance to the common pear.

Foliage

• The deciduous foliage is ovate and alternate and has finely serrated margins. All the teeth on margins are the same size. The simple leaves range between 1 and 4 inches in length and are a glossy, bright green color with lighter, smooth, dull-shaded undersides. Leaves are broad and grow on short petioles, the stems that connect leaves to twigs. The rounded symmetrical base has larger side veins than other foliage areas.

Soil

• Pear trees grow best in a deep, heavy soil rather than light textured as the trees are deep-rooted and prefer good levels of soil moisture. Sandy soil also is not recommended since it warms up rapidly in spring and encourages the trees to bloom earlier. This makes the flowers susceptible to damage from spring frosts. Preferred soil pH is 6.5. Trees growing in dry ground suffer from flower and fruit loss. Avoid overly fertile soils as this increases chances of fire blight bark splitting from sudden growth spurts.

Planting Suggestions

• The recommended planting time is when trees are dormant either in fall or early spring. Fall planting is suggested in warmer regions since the trees start to come out of dormancy earlier in spring. Purchase healthy, 1-year-old plants and reduce size to 3 to 3 ½ feet after planting. Plant trees at the same depth as the container. If using dwarf varieties, plant so that the graft is 2 inches above the soil line. Amend soil with organic material prior to planting.