Building Local Diversity

This pear was found growing near the administrative building of the historic Glenwood Resource Center (GRC). Opened in 1866 and once known as the Iowa Institution for Feeble-Minded Children, the GRC had its own orchard and greenhouses. Several pear and apple trees can still be found on the campus.

The Admin pear is a large beautiful tree with no obvious disease issues. It's a smallish green pear with some occasional russeting on the bottom. It's an early summer pear that will ripen on the tree for fresh eating. It's very sweet and juicy with a honey-like after taste. It can also be picked underripe and it will be crunchy and sweet with a bit of tartness. It will also ripen on the counter after a week or two. 

It's currently unknown if this is a seedling tree or a previous named variety. Hopefully genetic testing will help determine this in the future. 

This an excellent tree to grow for anyone that loves pears. 

Ripens mid-August in Southwest Iowa.