Bonne d'Ezée
PearBonne d'Ezée
Origin and History
A French pear, a wilding found at Ézée in the Touraine, France, by Dupuy about 1788. (Hedrick)
Primary references: Ann. Pom. Belge 5:73, fig. 1857; Pom. France 1:No. 34, Pl. 34, 1863; Hogg Fruit Man. 535, 1884.
Tree
Moderately vigorous and productive. Young wood dull yellow brown. (Downing)
Fruit
Size and Form: Large, though often medium (Hedrick). Form oblong obtuse pyriform (Downing); long-ovate-obtuse (Hedrick).
Stem: Large, long, and curved, inserted in a broad cavity. (Downing)
Calyx: Small, open. (Downing)
Basin: Narrow, of little depth. (Downing)
Skin: Rather thick and oily (Hedrick). The two sources disagree on ground color: Downing describes it as light yellowish green, while Hedrick describes it as lemon-yellow or golden. Both agree on russet markings: Downing notes russet patches and dots; Hedrick describes it as dotted and stained with bright russet.
Flesh and Flavor: White, very fine and melting; juice excessively abundant. Flavor sugary and acidulous (Hedrick) — Downing similarly describes it as sugary and brisk, adding rich. Hedrick notes an exquisite aroma. Downing rates quality good to very good; Hedrick rates it first.
Season
Downing gives September and October. Hedrick gives all of September. The two sources are thus in approximate agreement, with Downing extending the season slightly into October.
Uses
A dessert pear of first quality.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Bonne d'Ezee.
Bonne des Haies. Bonne de Longueval. Bonne de Zees. Belle et bonne d'Ezée.
A French Pear. Tree moderately vigorous, productive. Young wood dull yellow brown.
Fruit large, oblong obtuse pyriform. Skin light yellowish green, with russet patches and dots. Stalk large, long, curved, inserted in a broad cavity. Calyx small, open. Basin narrow, of little depth. Flesh white, juicy, melting, sugary, brisk, rich. Good to very good. September and October.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Bonne d'Ezée.
i. Ann. Pom. Belge 5:73, fig. 1857. 2. Pom. France 1:No. 34. Pl. 34. 1863. Brockworth Park. 3. Hogg Fruit Man. 535. 1884.
A wilding found at Ézée in the Touraine, Fr., by Dupuy about 1788. Fruit large, often medium, long-ovate-obtuse; skin rather thick, oily, lemon-yellow or golden, dotted and stained with bright russet; flesh white, very fine and melting; juice excessively abundant, sugary, acidulous, having an exquisite aroma; first; all Sept.