Cleveland Select Pear Info
What is a Cleveland Select pear? Pyrus calleryana “Cleveland Select” is a variety of Callery pear. Cleveland Select is known for its extremely showy white flowers that bloom in early spring. It also has a narrow columnar form and strong branches, setting it apart from many other varieties of pear and making it ideal as a flowering specimen tree. In the autumn, its leaves turn attractive shades of orange to red and purple. It has been known, in some areas, to hybridize with other Callery pear varieties and escape into the wild as an invasive species, so check with your local extension office before planting.
Cleveland Select Care
Growing Cleveland Select pear trees is relatively easy and rewarding. The trees need full sun and well drained, rich, loamy soil. They like soil that is somewhat alkaline. They require moderate, consistent moisture and should be irrigated weekly during hot, dry spells. They are hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9 and can tolerate both cold and heat. The trees tend to grow to a height of 35 feet (11 m.) and a spread of 16 feet (5 m.) and should be pruned moderately in the winter while dormant, but they grow naturally in an attractive shape. Due to their narrow, upright growth pattern, they are especially good for growing in clusters or rows, such as along a sidewalk.
