Williams pear variety: photo and description of the variety

Every year there are more and more varieties and hybrids of garden and horticultural crops, fruit trees. And the more surprising is the fact that some of their species remain popular for tens and hundreds of years. One of these “long-lived” crops is the Williams pear, the first mention of which dates back to the middle of the eighteenth century. Years later, this variety of pear tree is popular and loved among gardeners, moreover, the Williams pear has spread throughout the world, its seedlings have come to almost all continents.

Description of the Williams pear variety, a detailed description of several of its varieties, photos of fruits and trees, as well as gardeners’ reviews and recommendations for growing in Our Country: all information about this crop is collected in this article.

Varieties of the variety

Specifically, a pear variety called Williams was first presented at an exhibition of fruit trees back in 1770. This culture was obtained by crossing the Common Pear with some sort, forgotten today, variety.

Spreading around the world, the Williams pear received new names: for example, in America this variety is called “Bartlett”, and in Our Country you can often find the name “Duchess Summer”. The names of this species are also changing in connection with the mutations of the variety, the selection of new hybrids and varieties of the pear tree.

To date, there are three most popular types of Williams pear:

1. Pear Duchess Summer (or Williams Summer).
2. Williams Red, better known as Rouge Delbara.
3. A winter variety often referred to as Cure.

But these varieties have much in common, and, most importantly, they are united by the excellent taste of fruits and the amazing fertility of trees.

To understand the subspecies of pear, you need to read the description of each of them, see the photo and read the characteristics.

Pear Williams Summer

Trees of this variety grow small, they are regarded as low and medium height. Immediately after planting, the tree begins to grow rapidly, gain height, but after 10-12 years, its development slows down significantly. Experts attribute this slowdown to abundant harvests, which take away a lot of strength and nutrition from the pear.

Detailed description of the variety Duchess Summer:

• shoots are thick;
• the trunk and branches are painted in a yellowish tint, they are even or slightly curved in the form of an arc;
• the leaves are large, shiny, their shape resembles a boat, the tip is pointed;
• pear Williams Summer blooms with snow-white flowers, in each inflorescence there are 6-7 flowers;
• the flowering period is quite long, weather conditions do not affect this process in any way;
• pears are medium and large, their approximate weight is 150-180 grams;
• the shape of the fruit is elongated, oblong;
• the peel is shiny, there are tubercles and bumps;
• the color of the Summer pear is greenish-yellow, there may be a small pink spot on one of the sides;
• the pulp of the fruit is yellowish-white, their structure is delicate, the taste is very pleasant, the aroma is strongly pronounced;
• 3-4 pears are formed in each ovary, they are firmly attached to the stalks, do not crumble from the tree;
• harvest ripening can be expected in the second half of August, but it is recommended to pick pears 1-2 weeks earlier so that they ripen in the room;
• the yield of the Williams Summer variety is very high, the trees are literally plastered with fragrant large fruits;
• the variety is resistant to low temperatures and drought, tolerates periods of bad weather;
• the tree rarely gets sick, it is considered resistant to insect pest attacks.

The tasting characteristics of the Williams pear variety are very high – 4,8 points out of five possible. The fruits are considered dessert, they are great for fresh consumption, making jams or jams, meat dishes and various salads are prepared with the addition of pears.

Williams pears ripen very quickly, and this is one of the most important advantages of the variety. And the fruits are very nutritious, they contain a lot of useful vitamins and minerals, they are great for diet food.

The description of the Duchess Summer pear, as well as photos and reviews of those gardeners who have already planted such a tree on their plots, are pushing an increasing number of owners to buy these particular seedlings.

Winter variety of Williams

For the first time, a tree of this variety was discovered by a French priest – the priest, in honor of him, the Winter variety of Williams was named. Cure is a vigorous and very durable pear, characterized by large fruits and later ripening.

The characteristics of the variety are as follows:

• the pyramidal crown is very large and spreading;
• the bark is gray, all covered with small cracks (in young trees the stems are smooth);
• the leaves are large, painted in emerald color;
• Cure’s petioles are burgundy, and the inflorescences are white with pink anthers;
• flowering early;
• the shape of the fruit is classic, elongated;
• the mass of pears ranges from 160 to 260 grams;
• the peel is dense, matte, smooth;
• pears are harvested when they are colored green, after a couple of weeks of storage, the fruits become lemon yellow;
• on some fruits, a characteristic feature of the variety can be observed – a longitudinal brown strip;
• the pulp is sweet and sour, with a slight aftertaste of nutmeg, strong aroma;
• other trees are needed for pollination of the Cure (best of all Clapp’s Favorite, Williams Summer);
• The cure tolerates sub-zero temperatures and drought well; after freezing, the tree quickly recovers.

The Winter Williams harvest is great for processing: these fruits make delicious jams and fragrant jams, and Williams schnapps is also very famous, which is considered an elite alcoholic drink.

Red Williams

The trees of the Rouge Delbara variety grow small, their crown is compact, and there are not very many leaves either. The fruits of this variety look very tempting – the pears are painted in a rich burgundy-pink hue. The tree begins to bear fruit already in the fifth year after planting the seedling.

Variety Williams Red has its own characteristics:

• the crown of a pyramidal tree;
• standard shoots are strewn with cracks, and on young branches the bark is smooth, gray;
• leaves are elongated ovoid, their color is dark green;
• flowering later;
• the fruits are large, pear-shaped and have a bumpy peel;
• the skin is thin and shiny, reddens as the pears ripen;
• the pulp is creamy, slightly granular, very aromatic, sweet and sour, with hints of nutmeg;
• Rouge Delbara ripens at the end of August;
• you can store the harvested crop until the beginning of winter;
• resistance of the variety to low temperatures and severe drought is average.

Growing rules

It will not be difficult to grow a pear of the Williams variety, because this variety is not too whimsical and capricious. The climate of almost all regions of the country is suitable for a tree, you just need to take into account that different subspecies of the variety have a different degree of winter hardiness.

To get a good harvest, you need to follow some rules:

1. For planting, choose areas on a flat or slightly elevated area – pears are not planted in the lowlands.
2. It is better if it is a southern or southwestern slope with plenty of sunlight.
3. Young seedlings do not like drafts and strong winds, so a quiet place is chosen for planting.
4. If a tree is planted in the spring, then a pit is prepared for it in the fall. Autumn planting of pear trees is more preferable.
5. Fertile soil from the pit is mixed with humus, peat, wood ash, and mineral fertilizers.
6. The seedling is placed in the center of the pit and begins to fall asleep with earth. The soil is tamped around the roots, a peg is driven into the ground to tie up the tree.
7. After planting, the seedling should be watered abundantly.

   

8. In the first five years, the crown of the tree is formed. Pear pruning is done regularly, at least twice a year.
9. During periods of severe drought, the Williams pear needs to be watered, otherwise the lack of moisture will have a bad effect on both the fruits and the tree itself.
10. In the northern regions, young seedlings need to be covered, older trees usually tolerate winter normally.
11. Like all fruit trees, pears can get sick. In this case, processing by special means is necessary. To prevent insects from damaging Williams, they use prophylactic agents by treating the tree before flowering.
12. The crop must be harvested on time, as large fruits can break off tree branches. Collected pears are stored in a cool dark place.

Review of the variety Williams Rouge Delbara

Conclusion

Williams is a beautiful and very ancient pear variety that has earned popularity in Europe and other continents. There are several varieties of Williams, all of them are characterized by high yields and excellent taste characteristics of the fruit.

Growing a pear tree is not difficult, you just need to follow some rules and regularly prune. While the trees are young, it is recommended to cover them for the winter and water them abundantly during periods of drought.