Pear — Ussurian – 'Prairie Gem', 'Mt. Frost'

Pyrus ussuriensis

Pear — Ussurian – 'Prairie Gem', 'Mt. Frost' (Pyrus ussuriensis) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 15–25 ft tall and 15–20 ft wide, and needs low to medium water. More cold hardy than P. calleryana.

low to medium water15–25 ft tall and 15–20 ft wideXeric / water-wise

Photos

Pear — Ussurian – 'Prairie Gem', 'Mt. Frost' (Pyrus ussuriensis) — (c) Carrie Seltzer, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Carrie Seltzer

Pear — Ussurian – 'Prairie Gem', 'Mt. Frost' (Pyrus ussuriensis) — mature form — (c) Carrie Seltzer, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Carrie Seltzer

Pear — Ussurian – 'Prairie Gem', 'Mt. Frost' (Pyrus ussuriensis) — foliage — (c) Tatyana Petrenko, some rights reserved (CC BY)

At a glance

Rating: Recommended for Most Sites
Botanical name: Pyrus ussuriensis
Variety / cultivar: Ussurian – 'Prairie Gem', 'Mt. Frost'
Type: Tree
Mature size: 15–25 ft tall and 15–20 ft wide
Water needs: low to medium water
Colorado native: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Soil: clay, loam, sandy
Soil pH: 6.0–8.2
Hail tolerance: moderate
Wind tolerance: moderate
Salt tolerance: moderate
Bloom color: white
Bloom time: mid spring

Site factors to consider

Critical: Cold Hardiness

Planting & establishment

Water deeply every 7–10 days through the first 2 summers. Winter water 1–2×/month October–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 Pear — Ussurian – 'Prairie Gem', 'Mt. Frost' good for the Colorado Front Range?: Yes. Pear — Ussurian – 'Prairie Gem', 'Mt. Frost' is included in the Front Range Plant Finder as a tree suited to Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
How big does Pear — Ussurian – 'Prairie Gem', 'Mt. Frost' get?: It matures to about 15–25 ft tall and 15–20 ft wide.
How much water does Pear — Ussurian – 'Prairie Gem', 'Mt. Frost' need?: It needs low to medium water once established.
Is Pear — Ussurian – 'Prairie Gem', 'Mt. Frost' native to Colorado?: No — it is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.

Pear — Ussurian – 'Prairie Gem', 'Mt. Frost'

Photos

At a glance

Site factors to consider

Planting & establishment

Frequently asked questions

Find Pear — Ussurian – 'Prairie Gem', 'Mt. Frost' near you

See also

Related trees