Grand Isle
Pear
Grand Isle
Origin/History
A chance seedling raised by Benjamin Macomber, Grand Isle, Vermont. Downing records it as originating in Macomber's garden. Hedrick cites its first published appearance in Downing's Fruits and Fruit Trees of America, 3rd Appendix, p. 176 (with figure), 1881, and subsequently in Rural New York 44:242, with figures 135 and 136, 1885.
Tree
Vigorous and upright in habit, becoming somewhat spreading with age and heavy bearing. Downing notes the tree proved quite hardy and considered it likely to be valuable for cold localities. A good and regular annual bearer, though more abundant in alternate years.
Fruit
Size: Medium.
Form: Roundish-oblong (both sources agree); Downing further describes the form as obtuse pyriform.
Skin: Smooth (Downing); bright straw color, covered with many small russet dots.
Stem: Medium length, rather slender, set a little inclined (Downing); set in a small cavity.
Cavity: Small (Downing).
Calyx: Small, open.
Basin: Small, nearly smooth (Downing); described only as small by Hedrick.
Flesh/Flavor: Whitish, half-fine, juicy, melting, sweet, slightly vinous; quality rated very good.
Core/Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
Ripens from the last of September to the middle of October.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Grand Isle.
A chance seedling in the garden of Benjamin Macomber, Grand Isle, Vt. Tree vigorous, upright, somewhat spreading with age and bearing; it has proved quite hardy so far, and bids fair to be valuable for a cold locality; a good and regular bearer annually, but more abundant on alternate years.
Fruit medium, roundish oblong, obtuse pyriform; skin smooth, bright straw color, covered with many small russet dots; stalk of medium length, rather slender, a little inclined, set in a small cavity; calyx small, open; basin small, nearly smooth; flesh whitish, half fine, juicy, melting, sweet, slightly vinous, and of very good quality. It ripens from the last of September to the middle of October.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Grand Isle.
- Downing Fr. Trees Am. 3rd App., 176, fig. 1881.
- Rural N. Y. 44:242, figs. 135, 136. 1885.
Raised by Benjamin Macomber, Grand Isle, Vt. Tree vigorous, upright, somewhat alternate in bearing. Fruit medium, roundish-oblong, straw color, covered with many small russet dots; stem medium long, rather slender; calyx small, open, in a small basin; flesh whitish, half-fine, juicy, melting, sweet, slightly vinous; very good; Sept. and Oct.