Pear tree (variety 69)

Abstract

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of pear tree (Variety 69) which is useful as a size-controlling pear rootstock. The new variety originated as a single seedling selected from a large group of pear seedlings which were grown from open-pollinated seed. This seed was harvested from Old Home pear trees (Pryus communis) growing in an isolated planting with Farmingdale pollinizers. Pear varieties grown on the understock of this new rootstock clone are approximately 75% of the size of like pear trees grown on Domestic Bartlett (Pyrus communis) seedling rootstocks. This "semi-dwarfing" selection can be easily increased by hard and softwood cuttings. It has proven to be graft-compatible with all major commercially grown pear varieties. It was selected for its non-rootsuckering habit, its resistance to the Fireblight disease and its high tolerance of the Pear Decline disease. It has also proven to be hardy, early bearing, and well anchored in all areas and in all soil types where it was tested.

I claim: 
     
       1. A new and distinct variety of pear tree referred to by the cultivar designation Old Home x Farmingdale #69 and substantially as herein shown and described characterized particularly by its ability to serve as a rootstock for grafting of pear tree cultivars to produce "semi-dwarf" pear trees; further characterized by its resistance to the Fireblight disease and its tolerance of the Pear decline disease, further characterized by its non-rootsuckering habit, its hardiness, its excellent root-anchorage, its good compatibility with all major commercial pear varieties, its early bearing habit, and its ability to root easily and reproduce readily to hard and softwood cuttings.