Selleck
PearSelleck
Origin / History
Origin uncertain (Elliott); "somewhat uncertain" according to Downing; unknown according to Hedrick (1921), who cites Downing's Fruits and Fruit Trees of America, p. 854, 1869. Elliott (1865) records a tree 30 years old with "Mr. Selleck, Columbus, Vt." Downing places the oldest bearing tree on the grounds of Columbus Selleck, Sudbury, Vermont, and describes it as of healthy growth and very productive. Hedrick, writing from Downing's account, says this oldest known bearing tree was standing at Sudbury "some thirty years ago" and was then still healthy and very productive.
Tree
Healthy and productive; Downing calls it of healthy growth and very productive. A free, thrifty grower with small leaves (Elliott). Young wood grayish olive brown (Downing); shoots slender, brownish yellow (Thomas).
Fruit
Size: Large.
Form: Obovate obtuse pyriform, Diel-shaped in Thomas's comparison, ribbed. Elliott gives ovate obovate obtuse pyriform and angular ribbed. Surface uneven.
Stem: Curved, fleshy at its insertion. Downing and Thomas call it long. Elliott calls it medium and notes it is slightly russeted at the insertion.
Cavity: Moderate.
Calyx: Nearly closed (Elliott, Downing); closed (Thomas).
Basin: Small to rather small, uneven.
Skin: Fine yellow with a crimson cheek, which Downing says is present only sometimes.
Dots: Russet, thickly sprinkled.
Flesh and flavor: Flesh white, juicy, melting, aromatic. Downing adds that it is a little coarse and sweet; Thomas adds rich. Downing rates it "good to very good," Elliott gives "very good," and Thomas calls it "excellent."
Core and seeds: Core small (Elliott).
Season
September and October (Downing, Thomas). Elliott gives October.
Uses
Elliott says it "promises valuable for market."
Subtypes / Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 4 period pomological works
View original book sources (4)
— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)Selleck.
The origin uncertain. Tree, 30 years old. Mr. Selleck, Columbus, Vt. Tree, healthy, productive ; leaves, small; a free, thrifty grower. Fruit, large, ovate obovate obtuse pyriform, angular ribbed, fine yellow, and crimson cheek, russet dots ; stem, medium, curved, fleshy at insertion, where it is slightly russeted ; calyx, nearly closed ; basin, small, uneven ; flesh, juicy, melting, aromatic; core, small ; "very good ;" promises valuable for market. October.
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Selleck.
Origin somewhat uncertain. The oldest bearing tree stands on the grounds of Columbus Selleck, Sudbury, Vt., and is of healthy growth, and very productive. Young wood grayish olive brown.
Fruit large, obovate obtuse pyriform. Surface uneven, fine yellow, sometimes with a crimson cheek, and thickly sprinkled with russet dots. Stalk long and curved, fleshy at its insertion in a moderate cavity. Calyx nearly closed, in a rather small uneven basin. Flesh white, a little coarse, juicy and melting, sweet, aromatic. Good to very good. September, October.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Selleck. Large, obtuse-pyriform (Diel-shaped), ribbed; fine yellow, thickly dotted; stalk long, curved, fleshy at insertion; cavity moderate, calyx closed; basin small, uneven; flesh white, juicy, melting, rich, aromatic, excellent. September, October. Shoots slender, brownish-yellow.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Selleck.
i. Downing Fr. Trees Am. 854. 1869.
The origin of Selleck is unknown. Some thirty years ago the oldest known bearing tree of the variety was standing on the grounds of Columbus Selleck, Sudbury, Vermont, and was then still healthy and very productive. Fruit large, obovate-obtuse-pyriform, surface uneven; skin a fine yellow, with a crimson cheek and thickly sprinkled with russet dots; flesh white, a little coarse, juicy, melting, sweet, aromatic; good to very good; Sept. and Oct.