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Fruit & Orchards

looking for Gorham pear

9 years ago

Does anyone know of a source for a Gorham pear tree? I tried these pears for the first time last year and they were wonderful, not gritty or mealy at all, but I can't seem to find trees anywhere. Fedco had them in their catalog for 2014, but alas not this year. Barring that, any suggestions for a similar pear? My husband hates most pears - "it's a texture thing" - but liked these, and I'd love to grow a pear he could enjoy too. Thanks for the help!

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Comments (8)

Scott F Smith
9 years ago
Try Cummins, Wagon Wheel Orchard, or Hartmann Nursery. Gotham is a very good pear, it would be more widely grown if it was larger.

Many pears are not gritty or mealy if ripened well.

Scott
dogsunderfoot2
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks Scott. Hartmann does carry it, but doesn't ship. I am a pear novice, so maybe an easier-to-obtain variety I haven't tried would serve me just as well.
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JesseSt
9 years ago
Fedco usually rotates varieties year to year, so Gorham should appear again the next couple years. They should be able to supply you with scionwood if you request it from them and want to try your hand at grafting...
I also have a few Gorham in my nursery that will be ready to go to permanent locations after next season. Contact me if interested.
Recommended variety for the north- no grit, or core breakdown/mushiness.
dogsunderfoot2
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks JesseSt. They truly were wonderful pears, so I won't give up just yet!
Matt_z6b-7a_Maryland
9 years ago
DogsUnderFoot,

USDA has the Gorham pear in one of their repositories in Corvallis, OR. They often provide scionwood for free to those who request it. Link is below. Type "Gorham pyrus communis" into the search engine & select Result #PI-541196. On the next page, they give you the option to "Request this germplasm."

Cheers,
-Matt

Here is a link that might be useful: USDA search engine
Fascist_Nation
9 years ago
"Where's my gorham pear!" Just like Jayne would ask in "Firefly." ;-)

This post was edited by Fascist_Nation on Thu, Dec 11, 14 at 13:13
dogsunderfoot2
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks for the suggestions - and for the smile. It looks like I may have to learn how to graft pear cuttings!
MattG..Z6b
9 years ago
Wagon Wheel Orchard does have them. Keep in mind that you have to order a minimum of 10 trees from them and they are benchgrafted trees. But if you want a lot of trees, this is a good option.

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