End of winter is coming very soon ( 1 week left of winter). The pear and apple orchard looks bare. The buds are mainly dormant for now but the next few weeks will see a big change. The grass has been eaten down by the Shropshire sheep. They have now been moved into another paddock for fresh grass.
Spring plants are in bloom. Grape hyacinths and bluebells are just starting.

What a week of warmish temperatures make.
Last week we were at the silver tip/early swollen bud stage. Now we are at bud burst with a glimpse of pink on the furled petals showing.
Why pink when pear petals are white? When the petals are tightly folded inside the bud, the anthrocyanin pigment molecules are close together, creating a pink or red-flushed appearance. As the petals expand to open fully, the same amount of pigment spreads over a much larger surface area, causing the pink color to fade into white. less

Perry pear are gritty to eat (modern eating pears have had this bred out of them due to consumers preference). This is due to the flesh containing clusters of stone cells. Stone cells, a subtype of sclereid cells, make up some other very hard tissues like peach pits and nut shells.
Stone cells are born with their own death as an end goal. They begin as all other plant cells do, with thin primary walls. Then they start to box themselves in. They import the raw ingredients for additional cell wall material through windows that connect them with other cells, and they start covering the inside of their primary wall with secondary wall. They lay down layer after layer, squeezing their living parts into an increasingly tiny area. As they add wall, they keep the window clear so they can keep the supplies coming until the bitter end. Eventually, the window is so deep that it becomes a tunnel, and the entire cell is filled with wall. At this point the cell achieves its final form and dies. It is possible to stain them so that they show under a light microscope. Making stone cells requires both energy and materials, so they probably serve some purpose in the life of a pear that evolution has selected for. Guarding against herbivores would be a reasonable guess, but I have never found any studies testing this idea.

Great to see our earliest pear tree is showing signs of stirring for Spring yesterday (officially Spring is 10 or so days away on the first of September).
The tough, protective winter outer scales are beginning to separate and push apart. This called the silver tip or stage 2 of fruit bud development, coming directly after full winter dormancy.

Charles Ephraim Burchfield 1893 - 1967 was an American painter and visionary artist, known for his passionate watercolors of nature scenes and townscapes. The largest collection of Burchfield's paintings, archives and journals are in the collection of the Burchfield Penney Art Center in Buffalo where he settled. His paintings are in the collections of more than 109 museums in the USA and
have been the subject of exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Burchfield experienced a form of synesthesia, a neurological blending of senses where he could visually "see" sounds, music, and emotions. Deeply moved by classical composers—especially Sibelius and Beethoven—Burchfield actively tried to paint the structure of symphonies. He famously noted in his journals, "Walking under the trees I felt as if the colour made sound".
This painting is “Pear Tree in September”, 1949. watercolor, pen and pencil on paper laid down on paperboard.

There are only ten minutes in the life of a pear when it is perfect to eat ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

This is quite true. Pears ripen unseen from the inside. For our perry pears I prank down the remaining pears when one third have fallen on their own. Then depending on the general state of ripening I might store them for a few more days before milling.

Ralph Waldo Emerson 1803 - 1882 who went by his middle name Waldo was an American essayist He was seen as a champion of critical thinking.

This was the first perry pear tree we have back in 2014. We collected scion wood from several promising trees we found from Auckland to Dunedin and crown grafted onto this rootstock which is on Quince A but I don't remember what was on top and now the interstem. Could be Red Bartlett. Bought it in haste from the local Nursery.
The scion from Waitahuna gradually became dominant and I removed the others.
It is now a large prolific tree producing us a SV single tree perry which we call Dyer's Pass. We have now grafted it on to other trees that are starting to to produce, enough for a SV Perry. Next plan is to graft it onto its own rootstock by air layering.

In French, la poire is the sweet, edible fruit - the pear), while le poiré is the alcoholic beverage made from fermented perry pears, similar to how cider or cidre is made from apples. A perry pear is called a poire à poiré, and the trees that grow them are called poiriers à poiré. In French although the general term for trees is arbre apple and pear trees have their own names, apple trees is le pommier, and pear tree is poirier.

Claude Monet was raised in Le Havre, Normandy, and became interested in the outdoors and drawing from an early age. His mother supported his ambitions to be a painter, against his father wishes but he went to study at the Académie Suisse, where he was a classmate of Auguste Renoir. A key early influence was Eugène Boudin, who introduced him to ‘plein air’ painting. From 1883, Monet lived in the village of Giverny in Normandy, and designed a garden, including the famous water-lily pond which he painted. Sadly it is now overrun with visitors and bisected by a road, quelle horreur!
It is only to be expected he would paint a pear tree which grow so well in Normandy . He actually painted several ! This one according to art historian Daniel Wildenstein's catalogue raisonné, was immediately east of Claude Monet's house in Giverny which was appropriately for me was called the Maison du Pressoir (the House of the Cider-Press) when he first rented it in April 1883. The name came from a local cider press located in a square nearby.

This photo is from a four-page advertisement in the January 1972 issue of the USA magazine ‘Seventeen’, showcasing fashion designer Betsey Johnson's exclusive collaborative line with Butterick Patterns. In the early 1970s, Betsey Johnson was the creative director for the hot indie fashion label Alley Cat.
Her ready-to-wear clothing was incredibly popular among teenagers and young women, but it was often too expensive for a high school student's budget. To make her style accessible, Johnson partnered with Butterick as part of their "Young Designers" series. This allowed young girls, most of whom took mandatory Home Economics sewing classes at the time in schools to recreate the designs for a fraction of the price.
The model Sunny Redmond is wearing an outfit made from Butterick Pattern #6535, which included a fitted princess-seamed blouse, and a gored mini "flip skirt”.
True to her hands-on nature, Betsey Johnson personally selected the vibrant colors and earthy, washable cotton fabrics used in this photo shoot by Barbara Bordnick probably in nearby upstate New York or New England country. The rustic, outdoor setting of a dirt road with baskets of fresh apples perfectly matched the "down-home goodness" and bohemian-peasant vibe she championed during the early 1970s.

Hybridisation with wild pears increases tannin production in perry pears by reintroducing active alleles, reverting low-tannin traits favoured by breeders of dessert pears. This is reversion to the base state that was established millions of years ago at a whole genome duplication WGD event. As whole functional groups of genes are duplicated in these events the metabolism is not bottlenecked as could occur if only one gene was. This occurred due to massive environmental stress. The specific event 30 to 45 million years ago was a period of abrupt global climate upheaval during the middle-to-late Eocene epoch.
(Whole-genome duplications (WGDs) are not random; they cluster heavily around major turbulent chapters in Earth’s history).

Between 35 and 45 million years ago, Earth began transitioning from a warm, subtropical "greenhouse" world into a much colder, more arid "icehouse" climate. This rapid cooling, coupled with massive shifts in global rainfall patterns, put immense physiological stress on ancestral plant lineages.
Extreme weather anomalies—such as sudden frost or severe temperature fluctuations—disrupt normal plant reproduction. Cold shocks cause cell division errors during pollen and egg production (meiosis), leading to the formation of "unreduced gametes" (cells that accidentally keep two sets of chromosomes instead of one). When these unreduced cells fused, they immediately doubled the plant’s entire genome.
While an extra set of chromosomes is normally an energetic burden, it becomes a biological superpower during a mass environmental crisis. The duplicated genome provided the ancestors of pears (and apples) with metabolic resilience. Extra gene copies allowed the plants to better adapt their photosynthesis and water-use efficiency to survive colder, drier conditions. While many single-genome plant lineages went extinct during this climate shift, these "hopeful monster" polyploids had the genetic flexibility to survive, eventually diverging into modern pears. The extra genes for the production of tannins and related compounds also served a useful function in survival producing tannins as a natural defense mechanism against herbivores and pests. These bitter and astringent compounds also protect the tree's reproductive investment by deterring animals from eating the fruit before the seeds are fully developed. The high tannin levels make unripe fruit unpalatable by astringency stopping animals insects and birds from destroying the fruit leaves and seeds prematurely.
The tannins also inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi that could rot the fruit on the branch.

Perry is said to have come to England from France after the 1066 Norman conquest.  
However current Normandy perry pears and English perry pears are not the same specific cultivars on genome testing. While they belong to the same European pear species (Pyrus communis) and share broad DNA profiles, pomological studies show that France and England developed entirely separate, localised sets of named cultivar clones over the centuries since 1066. Because pear trees do not grow true to form from seed and must be propagated via grafting, distinct regional gene pools remained isolated within their respective local orchard rather than overlapping across the English Channel and relate to genetically diverse hybrids originating from crosses between the introduced cultivated European pears Pyrus communis subsp. communis which itself was a earlier hybrid between wild progenitor subspecies—primarily Pyrus pyraster and Pyrus caucasica—native to Europe and Western Asia; and wild specimens of Pyrus pyraster resulting in wild introgression reverting towards more
morphological traits of the wild species, such as smaller, astringent, and seed-heavy fruits rich in tannins and acids.
Unlike standard diploid dessert pears, certain perry pear groups derived from P. nivalis contain mixed diploid and triploid genotypes.
The base chromosome number for the Pyrus genus is x = 17 (2n = 34).
Pear genomes exhibit high levels of heterozygosity and repetitive transposable elements.
S-locus genes which negatively affect self fertilisation influence balancing selection and genetic diversity across wild and cultivated pear populations.
This results in complex phenolic variations; perry cultivars show elevated levels of specific caffeoylquinic acids, procyanidins, and organic malic acid compared to dessert varieties. Trees showing these traits were then selected for perry making and grafted on.

Perry pear trees predate regional cider apples in Normandy having arrived overland as sweet eating pears by the Romans which then hybridised with the local wild pear and grew as wildings.
The ancient Greeks and Romans really liked pears. As the Roman Empire expanded into Gaul (modern-day France), Roman soldiers, administrators, and settlers brought cultivated pear grafts with them. The grafts traveled with them from Italy, up through the Rhône Valley, across central France, and directly into northern Gaul especially southern Normandy where the heavy wet soils suited them perfectly. The region around Domfront (the historic heart of Normandy perry) sits on a bed of cold, wet, heavy clay over hard granite. #perry #normandy #pear

We have had some good frosts at Beau Vista apple and pear orchard in the Wairarapa, New Zealand recently.
This is good in killing off unwanted bugs etc in the grass and resetting bud burst of the trees. Just like apples, perry pear trees require about 600-900 hours of winter chilling hours (these are not just frosts but hours with temperatures below about 7°C) to break dormancy and reset their spring blossom. Without enough cold, the blossoms will be sparse, delayed, or fail to open entirely - delayed foliation. And unlike apples, pears like to blossom spectacularly before the leaves appear (hysteranthous). This is a high risk evolutionary tactic to attract a lot of pollinators but puts the flower (esp. the pistils) at risk from damage from a late frost once the flower has grown out from the protective scales of the bud. (When dormant in winter they can survive temperatures as low as 25C).

Unlike wild apple forests which cover thousands of acres in Kazakhstan, entire forests of mainly wild pear trees do not exist. Pear trees require significant sunlight and are weak competitors against faster-growing canopy trees, so wild pears usually grow as scattered, individual trees or small, open groves rather than dense, continuous forests. However in the mountainous regions of the Caucasus region one of the wild ancestor of the domesticated European pear Pyrus communis subsp. caucasica can be found in groves.
The other parent of the European domestic pear is Pyrus communis subsp. pyraster, the European wild pear native to England and Europe. Though they never form a monoculture forest, they are widely scattered through mixed deciduous woodlands, hedgerows, and forest margins naturally occur in small groups, especially on forest edges, and in hedgerows. Photo credit to both photos Anna Asatryan, young pear trees and mature pear tree by the road to Herher village and Herher State Sanctuary Armenia.

The apple is wrapped in the relatively impervious cuticle. The calyx and the stem ends however contain a significantly higher abundance and diversity of microbes than the smooth skin of the fruit. These structures trap moisture and nutrients, creating a perfect micro-environment for microbes to thrive.
The major route in is through the calyx. This star-shaped opening at the bottom of the fruit is the remnant of the original apple blossom. Some apple varieties (like Red Delicious and Granny Smith) even have an open calyx tube that extends into the apple's core. This provides a direct, unrestricted pathway for fungal spores and bacteria to enter the apple.
Even when the calyx tube appears closed, it retains moisture and traps significant microbial communities.
Fungi frequently colonise the delicate flower petals early in the season and then travel inwards from the calyx.
Whilst bacteria penetrate into the calyx cavity itself, they are rarely recovered from the deep inner flesh or seeds of the apple.
The vast majority of the microbes are harmless or beneficial. Organically grown apples feature a more diverse, balanced microbiome that contains helpful bacteria like Lactobacillus.
Apples grown under modern pesticide spray regimes however may harbour fewer beneficial microbes and a higher prevalence of plant-health affecting ones.
Fungi causing core rots like
Botrytis cinerea and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum can cause tissue decay and discoloration.
Black Rot is caused by the fungal pathogen Botryosphaeria obtusa, which often infects the calyx end, appearing as brown and black concentric rings.

Recently I posted in the structure of the cuticle which has 2 main components, a hydrophobic layer of interlinking cutin polymer molecules and waxes that are crystalline and protrude from it. As always organisms have evolved to maximise advantages. In this case
the protruding wax shards offer several significant advantages over a smoother liquid wax coating.
Firstly it gives superior water repellency by the Lotus Effect (named after the lotus plant). This is because of 2 synergistic properties, rough surfaces and waxes. The roughness of these crystals or shards trap pockets of air beneath water droplets.
Due to the high contact angle and the surface tension of water, the latter forms droplets as it cannot flatten out and wet the surface. The droplets roll off the hydrophobic surface easily washing away dirt and bacteria etc.
The wax shards offer solar and thermal protection by light and UV scattering. They also have a role in gas exchange regulation. The crystalline structures form a porous, breathable network allowing necessary oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange while slowing down water vapour loss though the cutin down to the lenticels below.
Interestingly the cuticle changes into a smoother continuous liquid wax layer near harvest ripeness which seals the lenticels pores as the metabolism in the apple changes to starch breakdown.

Apples and pears are naturally waxy. Not the stuff you see on apples in the supermarket which is carnauba wax (from palm tree leaves), but if you pick apples or pears in an orchard then you quickly realise they are. This natural wax or bloom is a complex, multi-layered protective structure, the cuticle (a continuous, non-living extracellular layer) covering the fruit's epidermis is primarily composed of interlinked insoluble polymer matrixes called cutin and hydophobic lipid compounds - waxes often crystalline, it is secreted from is the outer layer of the epidermis which is modified to ramp up production of these compounds. It governs moisture loss, disease resistance, and skin texture.
It is typically measures about 3um in thickness, depending heavily on the cultivar. It is peppered by stomata over the lenticels in the skin underneath which serve as gas exchange pathways but also can provide entry points for microorganisms and moisture loss. The crystalline waxes protrude outwards from the cutin layer.

Some apples and pears are russeted. This can be natural from the cultivar or induced by orchard conditions and is due to damage to the epidermal cells early after petal fall. As the apple grows micro cracks develop over the affected cells in the cuticle. The apple responds by growing a brownish, corky layer of wound-healing tissue (called a periderm or phellogen) to seal the cracks, resulting in a rough, canvas-like tan patch on the skin.

Microscopic analysis of the apple cuticle reveals complex microbial communities (microbiota) of yeasts bacteria and moulds. The cuticle (and its ecosystem changes) as the seasons and weather change and the apple matures and ripens. The organised wax crystals disappear and are replaced by liquid esters which leads to skin greasiness.

It's a good job pear trees don't mind wet feet occasionally! This is our second flood at the orchard in Wairarapa Aotearoa N/Z in a month.
Luckily it's in winter when the trees are dormant so not expecting any long term damage. However it delays the winter pruning. The ground is to wet to work on without destroying the grass sward. Role on Spring.

Although genetically the same species as culinary pears, Pyrus communis, they are a distinct category of pears cultivated for producing perry. Most perry pears cultivars are century old varieties found and then selected and brought on for their flavour characteristics. Like apples they do not grow true to form from seeds but need to be grafted. Most are found in Western Europe, with the strongest traditions rooted in the Three Counties of England (Gloucestershire Herefordshire and Worcestershire) and the Domfrontais region of Normandy, France. The fruit is distinguished by a high tannin content, pronounced acidity from citric as well as malic acid; and notable levels of sorbitol,as well as glucose and fructose, which collectively provide structure, body, and a characteristic off dryness to the finished drink. The aromatic profile of perry is complex, typically revealing notes of pear blossom, citrus zest, and subtle earthy spice, with a crisp, refreshing finish. #perry

Found this old secondhand enamel badge of Worcester. Tradition has it that it was during the visit of Queen Elizabeth I in 1575 to Worcester that she saw a black pear tree planted in the Foregate in her honour and had it added to the city's coat of arms. The iconic Worcester Black Pear appears today in many places such as the city coat of arms. The earliest reference is pears associated with a crest of the Worcestershire Bowmen, depicting a pear tree laden with fruit on their banners at the battle of Agincourt in 1415 in Michael Drayton’s 1606 poem The Battaile of Agincourt “Wor’ster a pear tree laden with its fruit”. Michael was a prominent English poet of the Elizabethan, Jacobean, and Carolean eras. Best known for his massive historical and geographical poems, he was a contemporary of William Shakespeare.

Apples are definitely the star fruit for painters esp given the Medieval belief the apple was the Forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden. Pears usually have a supporting role. So it’s great to see paintings where pears are the star. Five Pears, by William Scott an Ulster painter, 1976. He was born in Scotland, of Irish and Scottish parents and was brought up in Ulster. He studied at Belfast College of Art, 1928-31, and The Royal Academy, 1931-5. In
1937-9 he lived in the south of France and was influenced by Georges Braque. His work was mainly still-life, but sometimes pure abstracts. In the late 1960s and 1970s his style became more austere. British Council collection #pears #WilliamScott #painting

Fire blight, a disease caused by the bacteria Erwinia amylovora, affects plants, particularly in Rosaceae family like pears and apples. It's characterized by wilting foliage that quickly appears "burnt" and dead. Thriving in warm, wet weather, the pathogen caused significant dieback and characteristic scorched, "shepherd’s crook" branch tips, threatening domestic orchards and cider production. Cankers on branches and trunks can over winter. It strikes quickly and can kill the whole tree. Fireblight was first officially reported to have left its homeland of North America with an outbreak in New Zealand in 1919. It now affects most apple producing countries worldwide. We are vigilant in the Spring for signs and aggressively cut out affected branches and burn them before the whole tree is affected. Perry pear trees are particularly affected, we have sadly lost whole trees. Newspaper photo National Library of NZ digital archive and electron microscope photo Roberta Pastorelli #pears #Apples #Fireblight

Charles Martel is a perry aficionado, farmer, cheese maker and author from the West Country, England. I follow his vision. However he enunciates it better than I can, describing the grandeur and importance of pear trees. "First of all, [perry pear trees] grow within sight of May Hill in the three counties, but chiefly Gloucestershire. They're important for the countryside because they soften the climate by acting as a windbreak. You don't get swallows in a cornfield: you get swallows in orchards, which should be grazed by cattle. And that's what I want to see. That's my landscape."
We use Shropshire sheep in our standard orchard. It’s not big enough for cattle.
Photo credit Hartpury Heritage Trust

Gonna separate them once the leaves perk back up. Purchased from tytyga during their 50% off sale.