Red-Violet (Red and purple new growth in the spring); Green (Clean, glossy, dark green summer foliage); Multi-Colored (Fall color is yellow, orange, to red)

Fruit Notes:

Brown (Round, persistent on tree; not ornamentally important)

Ultimate Height:

35 feet

Ultimate Spread:

25 feet

Light Requirements:

Soil Notes:

Widely adapted to soils, including dry soils

Range:

Cultivated origin

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Leaves (1.5-3" long) are alternate, simple, leathery, and lustrous dark green with crenated margins and formed on short spurs (spurs like those of Malus). Long petioles allow the leaves to flutter in the wind. Wooly 0.5" long buds. Round, dull reddish-yellow, russet dotted pome fruits are 0.5" or less in diameter.

Purdue Plant Doctor

Parts and Problems of Pear, Ornamental

Special Characteristics:

Fall Color 239

Midwest Invasive 44

Pollution Tolerant 217

Shade Tree 181

Specimen 630

Street Tree 140

Additional Information

'Redspire' is one of the better P. calleryana cultivars, with a looser form and somewhat slower growth rate (less prone to limb breakage), but it does have severe fireblight susceptibility. Flowers are malodorous and often killed by late spring freezes. Very small fruits are a litter problem when abundant. Considered invasive in many areas.