Jack™ Pear
Pyrus calleryana
Jack™ Pear (Pyrus calleryana) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 12 to 15 ft tall and 10 to 12 ft wide, fast-growing, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun. Callery pear is invasive in many regions and structurally weak, suckers, splits, and reseeds prolifically. Do not plant.
Photos
- Photo 1: Bruce Marlin
- Photo 2: "Pyrus calleryana" by Bruce Marlin is licensed under CC BY 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.
- Photo 3: (c) Jacy Chen, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 4: (c) Jacy Chen, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 5: (c) Benjamin Smith, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 6: (c) Philmarin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5 to 9
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0 to 8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- high
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 12 to 15 ft tall and 10 to 12 ft wide
- Mature form
- Pyramidal
- Spacing / clearance
- ~12 ft of clearance
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Lifespan
- Short-lived
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- mid spring
- Bloom color
- white
- Fall color
- Red, purple, orange
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Not rated
- Colorado native
- No
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Not rated
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Cold HardinessThe real knock is not cold; Callery pear splits apart in storms as it ages and reseeds into wild land, so most agencies now steer away from it.
Common problems on the Front Range
- Fireblight (bacterial)
These are general tendencies for this group of plants on the Front Range, not a diagnosis. Many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or your local CSU Extension office.
Planting & establishment
Water deeply every 7 to 10 days through the first 2 summers. Winter water 1 to 2×/month October to March when soil is dry and unfrozen, winter desiccation is a top killer of newly-planted trees. Year 3: taper to 2×/month in summer, then rely on natural precipitation.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Jack™ Pear good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Jack™ Pear is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does Jack™ Pear get?
- It matures to about 12 to 15 ft tall and 10 to 12 ft wide.
- How much room does Jack™ Pear need?
- Give Jack™ Pear about 12 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Jack™ Pear grow into?
- Jack™ Pear typically grows into a pyramidal, conical outline that is widest at the base. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is Jack™ Pear hardy on the Front Range?
- Jack™ Pear is hardy in USDA 5 to 9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 6a, so it is at its cold edge here. Site it in a warm microclimate and protect young plants. That said, it carries a cold-hardiness caution: The real knock is not cold; Callery pear splits apart in storms as it ages and reseeds into wild land, so most agencies now steer away from it.
- How much water does Jack™ Pear need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- How fast does Jack™ Pear grow?
- Jack™ Pear is a fast-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Jack™ Pear live?
- Jack™ Pear is relatively short-lived for a tree, so plan to replace it sooner than a long-lived shade tree. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- What color does Jack™ Pear turn in fall?
- Jack™ Pear turns red, purple, and orange in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is Jack™ Pear native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Jack™ Pear prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Jack™ Pear can be affected by fireblight (bacterial). These are general tendencies, not a diagnosis, many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or CSU Extension.
