Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer'
Other common names
Bradford pear; Chinese: Dou li.
Origin of the species name
Pyrus is Latin for pear; calleryana is named after J.M. Callery (1810-1862), a Roman Catholic missionary in China; 'Chanticleer' is a cultivar that was selected from a street planting in Cleveland, Ohio in 1965. It is also known as 'Cleveland Select'.
Family
Rosaceae
Date planted
August 2009
Lifespan
Expected lifespan is about 25 years.
General description
This is a medium-sized deciduous tree with a well-formed, narrow, pyramidal crown. In autumn the leaves turn brilliant bright yellow and orange to purple and bronze. An attractive display of white flowers is produced in early spring before the leaves expand fully. This cultivar was developed by Edward Scanlon from a street planting in Cleveland, Ohio, and registered in the USA in 1965. Height 18m Spread 15m.
Natural distribution and habitat
The species is native to China and Taiwan where it grows in well drained soils in open forests but does tolerate some shading and drought.
Conservation status
It is not a threatened species.
Planting pattern
Planted in a regular square grid pattern.
Uses
This cultivar is popular as an ornamental tree in parks, gardens and streetscapes. In 2005 it was selected as 'Municipal Tree of the Year' in the USA. The wood of the callery pear, like other pears, has one of the finest textures of the fruitwoods. It is prized for making woodwind instruments, and pear-veneer is used in fine furniture.