Callery Pear
Pyrus calleryana · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood, Ornamental
Plant Family
Rosaceae
Tree Category
Ornamental, Flowering, Street Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Aristocrat (likely based on open-branching form and leaf shape)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 9; highly adaptable to hot, humid climates and urban stress.
About This Tree
Medium-sized deciduous tree with an upright, often pyramidal to spreading crown. Known for prolific white spring blooms and highly ornamental autumn foliage. Often used in urban landscaping due to high pollution tolerance.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate, ovate to heart-shaped, 1.5 to 3 inches long; glossy dark green in summer, turning brilliant shades of red, purple, or bronze in late fall; finely serrated margins.
Bark Characteristics
Gray-brown bark that starts smooth on young trees, developing shallow furrows, ridges, and a light scaly texture as it matures.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to China and Vietnam; widely naturalized and invasive in North America.
Growing Season
Blossoms in early spring before leaves; leaves emerge dark green in late spring and stay until late fall; becomes dormant in winter.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun is required for best flowering and form; moderate water needs; highly drought-tolerant once established; adaptable to many soil types.
Mature Size
Mature height of 25 to 35 feet with a spread of 20 to 30 feet; fast growth rate; relatively short-lived (15-25 years due to structural weakness).
Special Characteristics
Known for its 'fishy' smelling white flowers; highly invasive in many US states; brittle wood prone to splitting in wind or ice storms; high salt and pollution tolerance.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides early nectar for bees and pollinators; small, hard fruits (pomes) are eaten by birds like starlings, which aids in its invasive spread across forest edges.