The Cleveland Pear (Pyrus calleryana ‘Cleveland Select’) does bear fruit, though not the edible kind most people imagine. This specific cultivar is bred strictly as an ornamental tree for its symmetrical shape, striking fall color, and abundant white spring flowers. While these trees were historically thought to be non-fruiting, they technically produce small, hard, inedible pomes because they are a cultivated variety of the Callery pear species. This small fruit production is often a surprise to homeowners, especially since the tree’s primary purpose is aesthetic landscaping. The presence of these pomes is a result of cross-pollination with other ornamental pear cultivars planted nearby.
The Small Pomes of the Cleveland Pear
The fruit produced by the Cleveland Pear is a small, hard structure botanically classified as a pome, the same type of fruit as a true apple or pear. These tiny fruits are spherical or globose in shape, typically measuring less than half an inch (about 10 to 15 millimeters) in diameter. They are not the familiar, fleshy, pyriform (pear-shaped) fruits found in the produce aisle.
The fruit first appears green in the late summer, gradually changing color to a dark brown, blackish-brown, or yellow-brown hue as they mature. These small structures are not palatable to humans, lacking the sweet, juicy texture of edible pears. They contain seeds that are viable for reproduction, which is their main biological function.
These pomes often remain attached to the branches through the fall and into the winter, providing a food source for birds once the fruit softens after a few hard frosts.
Distinguishing Ornamental from Edible Pears
The confusion surrounding the Cleveland Pear’s fruit stems from its close relationship to, yet distinct separation from, the traditional pear varieties grown for consumption. The Cleveland Pear belongs to the species Pyrus calleryana, known as the Callery pear, which is native to China and Vietnam. In contrast, the edible pears, such as ‘Bartlett’ or ‘Bosc,’ are cultivars of the European pear (Pyrus communis) or Asian pear varieties.
The Callery pear species was originally introduced to North America in the early 20th century, not as an ornamental, but as a rootstock for edible pears due to its resistance to the devastating bacterial disease fire blight. Ornamental cultivars like ‘Cleveland Select’ were later developed for fast growth, uniform shape, and tolerance to urban conditions.
The fruit of edible pears (Pyrus communis) is significantly larger, ranging from 1.2 to over 6 inches in length, and is characterized by a soft, sweet, and fleshy texture. The ornamental Callery pear fruit, however, retains the small, hard, and unappealing characteristics of the wild parent species. The primary goal of Pyrus calleryana is visual appeal and hardiness, whereas the purpose of Pyrus communis is dedicated food production.
Dealing With Seed Mess and Spreading
The small pomes of the Cleveland Pear pose two primary issues for homeowners: a physical mess and an ecological concern. When the fruit ripens and falls, it can create a slippery, unsightly litter on driveways, sidewalks, and lawns, requiring regular cleanup. This mess is often compounded in late winter when the fruit drops after being consumed by local wildlife.
The seeds contained within the fruit are readily dispersed by birds, which consume the pomes and then excrete the viable seeds in new locations. This process leads to the widespread establishment of unwanted seedlings, often referred to as “volunteer” trees. These seedlings are not the desirable ‘Cleveland Select’ but revert to the wild, thorny, and aggressively growing Callery pear species.
The aggressive seeding and subsequent establishment of these wild Callery pears are why the species is now classified as invasive in many regions of the United States. The resulting wild trees form dense, impenetrable thickets that outcompete and displace native plant species, causing significant ecological harm.