Pear tree

Abstract

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of pear tree (Variety 282) which is useful as a size-controlling clonal pear rootstock. The new variety originated as a single seedling which was selected from a large group of pear seedlings which were grown from open-pollinated seed. This seed was harvested from Old Home pear trees (Pyrus communis) growing in an isolated planting with Farmingdale pollinizers. Pear varieties grown on the understock of this new rootstock clone are "standard" in size when planted and grown in the orchard and are of like size to trees propagated on Domestic Bartlett seedling rootstocks (Pyrus communis). This new rootstock selection can be easily increased by vegetative means; particularly by hard and softwood cuttings. It is graft-compatible with all major pear varieties. It was selected for its non-rootsuckering habit, its resistance to the Fireblight disease and its tolerance of the Pear Decline disease. It is hardy, early-bearing and well-anchored in the orchard and in the nursery.

I claim: 
     
       1. A new and distinct variety of pear tree refered to by the cultivar designation Old Home × Farmingdale #282 amd substantially as herein shown and described, characterized particularly by its ability to serve as a size-controlling rootstock for grafting of pear tree cultivars to produce "standard" 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 good root-anchorage, its good graft-compatibility with all major commercial pear varieties, its virus freedom and its ability to root easily and reproduce readily by hardwood cuttings and by other vegetative methods.