Details for: PI 541133, Pyrus communis L., 'Beurre Clairgeau'

Pierre Clairgeau of Nantes, France, grew the original tree by chance in 1830. In 1848 the variety's reputation was established when Clairgeau entered his tree at an exhibition. J. de Jonghe and others combined to purchase the stock of approximately 300 trees grafted on quince, and they moved the trees to Brussels where the pears became available on market in 1852. Two years later the variety was introduced in America. In America, Beurre Clairgeau was valuable in New York where it was shown to be blight resistant. The tree is second only to Buffum in vigor, health, and productivity. Like many other cultivars, Beurre Clairgeau can also serve as an ornamental tree. The fruit, however, is not one of best quality. It is large, smooth, symmetrical, and uniform in shape. However, the coat is rather coarse, and the granular flesh is more often than not commonplace. The flesh rots prematurely; and, because the fruit is heavy, it drops from the tree before it ripens. The fruit is more suited for cooking than for dessert.

Monolinia fructigena fruit rot resistant in Germany. - Kock, 1911