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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » National Clonal Germplasm Repository » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #141215

Title: THE ENDICOTT PEAR TREE - OLDEST LIVING FRUIT TREE IN NORTH AMERICA

Author
item Postman, Joseph

Submitted to: Pomona
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/17/2003
Publication Date: 2/17/2003
Citation: Pomona 36:13-15

Interpretive Summary: This brief article summarizes the history and present condition of a historic pear tree that is very likely to be the oldest fruit tree in North America. The Endicott Pear Tree was planted about 1630 in Danvers, Massachusetts by the Colonial Governor John Endicott. It has survived various hardships and is still growing in a fenced enclosure. A clone of the Endicott Pear has been established at the USDA ARS National Clonal Germplasm Repository in Corvallis, Oregon.

Technical Abstract: This brief article summarizes the history and present condition of a historic pear tree that is very likely to be the oldest fruit tree in North America. The Endicott Pear Tree was planted about 1630 in Danvers, Massachusetts by the Colonial Governor John Endicott. It has survived various hardships and is still growing in a fenced enclosure. A clone of the Endicott Pear has been established at the USDA ARS National Clonal Germplasm Repository in Corvallis, Oregon.