To: North American Fruit Explorers <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] pears with thorns?
Date: Tue, 03 Jun 2003 13:20:00 -0500
Jeff,
Many 'wild' and seedling pears have thorns - some quite substantial,
too. Many of the clonal rootstocks, since they're maintained in a
constant, vigorous, juvenile state of growth, are quite thorny in their own
right.
I'm not surprised that your 7 yr. seedling hasn't fruited yet - the old
adage was: "Plant pears, plant for your heirs" - a testament both to the
long juvenile period a seedling pear has to grow through to reach fruiting
age, as well as their potential for a lengthy lifespan.