Chanticleer Pear Tree
Facts about the Chanticleer Pear Tree
If you have ever driven down a city street in the spring and marveled at the snowy white trees lining them, it is likely that it is the Chanticleer pear tree you are admiring. A very popular choice for landscaping in municipalities, the Chanticleer is noted for both its beauty and its elegant presence.
Flowering pears are particularly lovely landscape plants. Springtime finds these trees dressed in dense, medium green leaves that provide the perfect background for the showy white blossoms that shroud the tree. While little scent is noted from the flowering stage, it is forgivable with the magnificent view that is on display, especially when planted in lines or groups. When the flowers fade away, small fruits begin to develop in their place. Measuring only about the size of a large pea, the fruit is brown, hard and inedible; usually remaining on the tree until winter. Shiny leaves transition from the springtime’s medium green to a dark, glossy green that persists through the summer. In the autumn, the Chanticleer pear tree wears a different coat as the leaves become a burnished orange or golden red before turning an incredible purplish red later in the fall.
The tree’s shape is also part of its city allure. The upright tree forms a pyramid shape, more full at the bottom while tapering off at the tip. Its growth is tight; making the tree the perfect choice for areas that do not allow a full spread of typical shade trees. The density of the branches and the foliage is attractive to many species of birds and small animals that, in addition to making the tree their home, also feed upon the bitter fruits that persist on the branches throughout winter. Bees and other insects can be found liberally enjoying the nectar found in the profuse flowers early in the year.
As if the beauty of the tree and its value to wildlife weren’t enough to proclaim its worth, there is also the consideration of the wood of the Chanticleer pear tree. Pear wood is a hard wood, and one that is highly desirous in the making of fine furniture, wood wind instruments, wooden bowls and more. Sculptors will be very familiar with the wood, as its fine grain provides an excellent appearance for carved pieces. Veneers are often fashioned for use in inlay, paneling and cabinetry. However, pear wood is not one that is widely available; it may be difficult to find and expensive to procure. The appearance and durability that it offers could very well be worth the effort.
Using the Chanticleer for landscaping a yard is also an excellent choice. It requires low maintenance due to its compact branching structure. Many trees fail to thrive in city lots because of the higher concentration of pollution that is found in these areas, but this is not the case with the Chanticleer. Resistant to pollution and fire blight, the tree is also disease resistant, hardy for drought, heat and freezing temperatures. It can adapt itself to many different soil types, which makes it truly a versatile growing option. The tree does require full sun exposure in order to achieve its optimal performance of flowering, fruiting and growth.
Few trees can claim such high promise as the Chanticleer pear tree; lovely flowers, dense foliage, resistant to disease, pollution, heat and cold, beautifully clad in the fall, and a neat compact growing habit. Add to this its value as an architectural wood, and it is easy to see how this tree has quickly become a favorite with cities and homeowners alike.