Habitat:
Native to the Middle East, willow-leaf pear trees will grow most optimally in moist, well-drained soil with full sun. These trees can tolerate some shade and withstand some drought, however. They typically grow in clay, loamy, or sandy soil that contain levels of acid widely ranging from highly acidic to highly alkaline. Its spreading root system allows the willow-leaf pear tree to grow well on infertile or moderately fertile sandy soil. Moreover, cool summer climates are most preferable.
Origin, history, and uses:
The Willow-leafed Pear is native to the middle east and eastern Europe (Plant Finder - Pyrus salicifolia). It’s weeping branches, white flowers, and long silvery leaves make it a common ornamental tree. The weeping variety of this tree first began being cultivated during the 1850s in Germany and it remains a popular ornamental tree today (Plant Finder - Pyrus salicifolia).
Phenology:
The weeping willow-leaf pear tree is a four season plant. The tree flowers in early spring (around March). Pink-tipped buds open to flowers that have white petals and are organized in a dense corymb structure, where the outermost flowers are born on stems longer than inner flowers in order to bring all flowers up to a common level. Weeping willow-leaf pear trees bear pear-like blooms and becomes slightly fragrant. In the spring, the tree also starts developing silver/gray foliage, which appear as narrow, willow-like leaves.
During the summer, the tree develops gray/silver/green foliage, as well as a weeping habit. In the fall, the tree exhibits a weeping habit and brown/green fruit. Deciduous weeping willows will start to drop leaves from fall to spring. Once winter arrives, the tree maintains its weeping habit and lacks foliage.
