Marechal de la Cour

Pear

Downing, Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)

Marechal de la Cour

Origin/History

One of Van Mons' seedlings, dedicated to his son in 1845 (Downing). Described as of foreign origin (Elliott). Thomas (1903) lists this variety only as a cross-reference to Conseiller de la Cour (itself listed as a synonym by Downing), without independent description.

Tree

Downing describes the tree as moderately vigorous, holding its foliage late in season, with young shoots olive reddish brown bearing many specks. Elliott describes the tree as vigorous (somewhat stronger characterization than Downing's "moderately vigorous"), with long branches that are thorny at the ends, and notes it as an early bearer.

Fruit

Size and Form: Medium to large (Downing), or large (Elliott). Shape oblong obovate pyriform (Downing); Elliott describes it as oblong pyriform or ovate.

Skin: Greenish yellow (Downing) / yellowish green (Elliott), with a slight netting and few patches of russet, and russet dots (Downing). Washed with vermilion on the sun-exposed side (Elliott).

Stem: Rather long, sometimes inclined (Downing). Elliott describes the stem as broken and inserted with a lip on one side — a distinctive attachment character.

Cavity: Moderate, somewhat russeted (Downing). Not described in Elliott.

Calyx: Open (both sources). Set in a narrow, russeted basin (Downing). Elliott describes the calyx as large and open.

Basin: Narrow, russeted (Downing). Not separately described in Elliott.

Flesh: Yellowish white (Downing) / white (Elliott). Buttery, juicy, melting, rich, vinous (Downing); fine, melting, juicy, vinous (Elliott).

Flavor: Rich, vinous; rated very good (Downing). Elliott concurs on the vinous quality and adds the assessment "promises well."

Core/Seeds: Not described in sources.

Season

October (Downing). Not specified in Elliott.

Uses

Dessert. Elliott notes it "promises well," suggesting it was still being assessed at the time of that writing (1865).

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in sources.

Other

Not described in sources.

Book Sources

Described in 3 period pomological works

View original book sources (3)

Marechal de la Cour.

B. O. de la Cour. Baud de la Cour. Conseiller de la Cour. Grosse Marie. Marechal Decours.

One of Van Mons' seedlings. Dedicated to his son in 1845. Tree moderately vigorous, holding its foliage late in season. Young shoots olive reddish brown, with many specks.

Fruit medium to large, oblong obovate pyriform. Skin greenish yellow, with a slight netting and few patches of russet, and russet dots. Stalk rather long, sometimes inclined, set in a moderate cavity, somewhat russeted. Calyx open, in a narrow basin, russeted. Flesh yellowish white, buttery, juicy, melting, rich vinous, very good. October.

— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)

Marechal de la Cour. Conseiller de la Cour, | Duc d'Orleans. Foreign. Tree, vigorous, branches long, thorny at ends, early bearer. Fruit, large, oblong pyriform, or ovate, yellowish green, vermilion in sun; stem, broken, inserted with a lip one side; calyx, large, open; flesh, white, fine, melting, juicy, vinous; "promises well."

— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)

Maréchal de la Cour. See Conseiller de la Cour.

— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)

B. O. de la Cour Baud de la Cour Bo de la Cour Clara Pringalle Conseiller de la Cour Dillen d'Automne Dillen d’Automne (irrig) Duc d'Orleans Grosse Marie Hofratsbirne Marechal Decours Poire de Conseiller Beau de la Cour Maréchal Dillen Duchesse D'Orléans Maréchal de Cour Conseiller de la Cour Duc d'Orleans Grosse Marie