Description
Latin Name: Pyrus ussuriensis
DESCRIPTION
Family: Rosaceae
Native Range: Northeast Asia
Seed Source: Ussurian pear growing in a seed production orchard near Indian Head Saskatchewan.
Height and Spread: 7m x 4m
Overview: 'George Kennedy' Ussurian pear is well adapted to cold temperate regions. Its vigorous, dense growth makes it useful for shelterbelts. The attractive flowers and yellow-orange autumn color enhance its aesthetic value. Short, stubby branches (spurs), that are thorn-like, form before developing into another branch. The seed strain was named in honour of George Kennedy an early Tree Inspector at Indian Head
Fruits: Pear-shaped and 3-4 cm in diameter with multiple seeds. Ripens in September.
Average number of seeds/packet: 200
SEED TREATMENT / SOWING
Stratification: Stratify in moist sand (10% moisture) for 90 days at 5°C.
Ideal sowing time: Non-pretreated seed outdoors in late September (will germinate the following spring) or stratified seed in spring.
Sowing instructions: Outdoors - Sow 2 cm deep and 50 seeds/meter; Greenhouse - sow 3 seeds per cell 1 cm deep.
Growing conditions: ‘George Kennedy’ Ussurian pear is well-adapted to most soil types except heavy, poorly drained, and high lime soils. It performs very well on sandy soils.
AGROFORESTRY VALUE
The 'George Kennedy' seed strain is excellent for field and farmstead shelterbelts, intercropping, reclamation, and wildlife habitat plantings. All plants produce fruit. The fruit is hard, but may be used for jams and jellies and sweetens after a frost.
