Pyrus pyrifolia
Light: Full sun; morning sun with some late-afternoon shade is beneficial in Phoenix. Avoid reflected heat from west-facing walls and paving.
Water: Deep, regular irrigation; not drought tolerant. Keep the root zone evenly moist but never waterlogged, increasing irrigation during extreme heat and fruit development. Water across the expanding root zone, not just beside the trunk.
Soil: Deep, well-drained loam preferred. Tolerates other textures with good drainage; Phoenix’s alkaline or saline soils can cause nutrient deficiencies and salt injury. Apply organic mulch, keeping it away from the trunk.
Mature size: Typically 12–20 feet tall and wide in cultivation; dwarfing rootstocks may limit size to 8–12 feet, while vigorous trees can reach 20–30 feet.
Bloom: White flowers in late winter to early spring, depending on cultivar and accumulated winter chill. Inadequate chill may cause sparse or uneven flowering.
Evergreen / deciduous: Deciduous.
Growth rate: Moderate; faster with suitable soil and consistent irrigation.