St. Germaine
Pear
St. Germaine
Origin/History
Known historically by the erroneous name "green Chissel" in common usage, though that variety is a summer pear and distinctly different. Also called the "walnut pear" due to the exceptional thickness of its skin. A variety of notable longevity with a well-documented susceptibility to fire blight, which Coxe identifies as a major challenge in cultivation, though the precise cause—whether climatic or inherent to the variety's nature—remained uncertain.
Tree
Of singular growth habit with very dark and thick foliage. Leaves are distinctive, furrowed through the centre and arched by contraction of the middle tendon. The tree is notably subject to fire blight, the most destructive disease affecting fine and delicate pears in the region.
Fruit
Size: Large
Form: Irregular, generally diminished towards the stem, and sometimes towards the crown
Stem: Short, generally planted in an oblique direction
Crown: Large and not much sunk
Skin: Green until fully ripe; very thick, earning the alternate name "walnut pear"
Flesh and Flavor: Very highly flavored, rich, juicy, and sprightly beyond comparison to other pears when the season is favorable
Core and Seeds: Not described in source
Season
Ripens in November in a close warm situation. Frequently kept until late in winter with proper care and attention, indicating good storage capability.
Uses
Not described in source
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source
Other
Distinguished from the summer pear "green Chissel," with which it is often confused.
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
View original book sources (1)
— William Coxe, A View of the Cultivation of Fruit Trees (1817)
- ST. GERMAINE.
Is a fine winter pear, by many erroneously called the green Chissel, (which is a summer pear) the size is large, of an irregular form, generally diminished towards the stem, and sometimes towards the crown; the skin is green till fully ripe, and very thick, whence it is often called the walnut pear; the stem is short and generally planted in an oblique direction, the crown is large and not much sunk; the flesh is very highly flavoured, rich, juicy and sprightly beyond any other pear when the season is favourable; it ripens in November in a close warm situation, it is frequently kept till late in the winter by care and attention. It is to be regretted that the tree is very subject to the fire blight, so destructive of the finest and most delicate pears in this country; it would be highly useful to the cultivators of fruit could the cause or cure for this evil be discovered; whether it be founded in any peculiarity of our climate, or in the long duration of the variety, is a point which has not been satisfactorily ascertained; the tree is of singular growth, very dark and thick foliage, the leaves being furrowed through the centre, and arched by a contraction of the middle tendon.