Épine d'Été
PearÉpine d'Été
Origin/History
An old French pear. Hedrick records that it was grown in the gardens of the Monastery of Chartreux, Paris, and was stated in the catalog of that institution, of 1736, to be identical with the pear Bugiarda of Italy. Leroy has shown this to be an error, the Bugiarda being the pear known in France as Trompeur. Le Lectier appears to have grown it in 1628 in his famous gardens at Orleans, though under the name of Poire d'Espine. Hedrick's references include Leroy Dict. Pom. 2:138, fig. 1869, and Downing Fr. Trees Am. 758. 1869.
At the Central Experimental Farm, Agassiz BC, Épine d'Été was planted Spring 1896.
Tree
Downing describes the tree as moderately vigorous, spreading, and productive. The Central Experimental Farm (Agassiz BC) records the tree as a medium grower.
Bark, Twigs, Lenticels, Buds
Not described in source.
Leaves
Not described in source.
Fruit
Size
Downing and Thomas describe the fruit as medium; Hedrick describes it as above medium.
Form
Pyriform (Downing, Thomas, Hedrick). Hedrick adds that it is more or less obtuse.
Stem
Not described in source.
Cavity
Not described in source.
Calyx
Not described in source.
Basin
Not described in source.
Skin
Downing: greenish yellow. Thomas: greenish-yellow. Hedrick: bright green, finely dotted with gray-russet and lightly colored with tender rose on the side of the sun.
Flesh/Flavor
Downing: flesh tender, melting, with a sweet, musky, peculiar flavor; quality good. Thomas: melting, sweet, musky. Hedrick: flesh yellowish, fine, melting, juicy, sugary and musky; a moderately good autumn pear.
Core/Seeds
Not described in source.
Season
Downing: last of August and first of September. Thomas: early September. Hedrick: September.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 3 period pomological works
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 2 catalogs (1900)
- Central Experimental Farm , Dominion Department of Agriculture, Agassiz, British Columbia (under test; Bulletin No. 3, Second Series) — 1900 — listed as Summer Thorn
- Central Experimental Farm , Dominion Department of Agriculture, Agassiz, British Columbia (under test; Bulletin No. 3, Second Series) — 1900
View original book sources (4)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Epine d'Ete.
Summer Thorn. Petite Epine d'Ete. Fondante Musquee. Bugiarda. Satin Vert. Bugiarda des Italiens.
Tree moderately vigorous, spreading, productive.
Fruit medium, pyriform. Skin greenish yellow. Flesh tender, melting, with a sweet, musky, peculiar flavor. Good. Last of August and first of September.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Épine d'Été. (Summer Thorn.) Medium, pyriform, greenish-yellow; melting, sweet, musky. Early September.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Épine d'Été.
- Leroy Dict. Pom. 2:138, fig. 1869.
- Downing Fr. Trees Am. 758. 1869. An old pear grown in the gardens of the Monastery of Chartreux, Paris, and stated in the catalog of that institution, of 1736, to be identical with the pear Bugiarda of Italy. This Leroy has shown to be an error, the Bugiarda being the pear known in France as Trompeur. Le Lectier appears to have grown it in 1628 in his famous gardens at Orleans, though under the name of Poire d'Espine. Fruit above medium, pyriform, more or less obtuse, bright green, finely dotted with gray-russet and lightly colored with tender rose on the side of the sun; flesh yellowish, fine, melting, juicy, sugary and musky; a moderately good autumn pear; Sept.
— Central Experimental Farm, Central Experimental Farm, Agassiz BC — Catalogue of Fruit Trees under Test (Bulletin No. 3, 1900) (1900)Planted Spring 1896. Tree a medium grower.