Ussurian Pear (Pyrus ussuriensis)

The Ussurian Pear is a valuable addition to food forests and permaculture designs due to its toughness. It enriches biodiversity by supporting pollinators with its early blossoms and offers reliable yields of fruit for human and animal consumption. Its role as a rootstock and pollinator enhances the productivity of pear orchards, while its hardiness and tolerance for poor soils make it a resilient choice for ecological restoration and urban greening projects. Whether as a shade tree, a source of food, or a contributor to ecosystem health, the Ussurian Pear is a versatile and rewarding species for cold-climate landscapes.

The Ussurian Pear grows as a medium-sized, deciduous tree with an upright, oval shape. In spring, it bursts into life with a profusion of white blossoms, followed by glossy green foliage. Its small, round fruits ripen in late summer to early fall, while its leaves turn brilliant shades of orange, red, and yellow, adding visual interest to the landscape. The tree grows steadily and establishes well in a variety of soil and climate conditions.

Size at Maturity- Understory. Grows to 35 feet tall with a spread of 20 feet

Current Size- Large 1'-2', 1-2 year old seedling

The Ussurian Pear, native to northeastern Asia, has long been used in shelterbelts for its resilience and adaptability. It is one of the cold-hardiest pear species, capable of thriving in harsh climates where other fruit trees struggle. While its fruit is not as sweet as dessert pears, it is ideal for preserving, cider production, and culinary uses. In agroforestry systems, it serves as a reliable pollinator for more productive pear varieties and is commonly used as a hardy, disease-resistant rootstock. Its tolerance for urban pollution makes it a popular choice for city planting and restoration projects