Certeau d'Été
PearCerteau d'Été
Origin/History
In the sixteenth century this variety was also called the pear of Champagne, coming as it did, according to Charles Estienne, from that district in 1540. Its name may be referred to the Latin word certo, signifying constant or certain. By some authors the variety is attributed to Van Mons; others rely on the earlier 1540 account. Referenced in Leroy, Dict. Pom. 1:539, fig. (1867).
Tree
Vigorous and productive. Young wood reddish yellow brown. Other tree characteristics not described in source.
Fruit
Size: Downing gives the size as medium; Hedrick gives it as above medium.
Form: Long and variable. Downing describes the form as oblong acute pyriform. Hedrick describes it as sometimes rather like Calebasse in form, but more usually obtuse-conic.
Stem: Long, curved, fleshy at its insertion.
Cavity: Not described in source.
Calyx: Small, open.
Basin: Small.
Skin: Smooth, almost waxen in character. Downing describes the ground color as almost waxen yellow, shaded with bright crimson over most of the surface, and sprinkled with light dots. Hedrick describes the ground as bright yellow with a little greenish cast, dotted all over with gray-brown, and widely carmined on the side opposed to the sun.
Flesh/Flavor: White (Downing) to whitish (Hedrick); semi-fine and melting; juicy, with sufficient juice; saccharine. Downing characterizes the flavor as pleasant and sweet. Hedrick notes it is seldom much perfumed but possesses a delicate flavor. Quality rated good to very good by Downing; second by Hedrick.
Core/Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
Last of August (Downing); August (Hedrick).
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
The variety is notably showy in appearance. The alternate historical name De Champagne d'Été reflects its reputed regional origin.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Certeau d'Été.
Gros Certeau d'Été. Comte de Ersol. Rouges des Vierges. Colorée d'Août. Emmanuel. De Champagne d'Été.
This showy Pear is by some authors attributed to Van Mons. Others say it was described in 1540. Tree vigorous and productive. Young wood reddish yellow brown.
Fruit medium, oblong acute pyriform. Skin smooth, almost waxen yellow, shaded with bright crimson over most of the surface, and sprinkled with light dots. Stalk long, curved, fleshy at its insertion. Calyx small, open. Basin small. Flesh white, juicy, melting, pleasant, sweet. Good to very good. Last of August.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Certeau d'Été. i. Leroy Diet. Pom. 1:539, fig. 1867. In the sixteenth century this variety was also called the pear of Champagne, coming as it did, according to Charles Estienne, from that district in 1540. Its name may be referred to the Latin word certo signifying constant or certain. Fruit above medium, long, variable, sometimes rather like Calebasse in form but more usually obtuse-conic, bright yellow though a little greenish, dotted all over with gray-brown and widely carmined on the side opposed to the sun; flesh whitish, semi-fine and melting; juice sufficient; saccharine, seldom much perfumed but with a delicate flavor; second; Aug.