Thompson's

Pear

Thompson's Pear

Origin and History

This pear was received by the Horticultural Society of London and named in honor of Mr. Robert Thompson, head of the fruit department in the Society's garden, whose pomological knowledge is widely recognized in the horticultural world.

Tree Characteristics

The tree is vigorous and productive. Young wood is reddish yellow brown.

Fruit Characteristics

Size and Form: Medium size, obovate pyriform. Surface slightly irregular.

Skin: Pale lemon yellow. Surface bears a few small russety dots, patches, and streaks.

Stalk: Pretty stout, an inch or more in length. Inserted in a blunt, uneven cavity.

Calyx: Open and stiff, often without divisions.

Basin: Abrupt and uneven.

Flesh: White, buttery, melting, and sugary with slight aromatic character.

Quality and Flavor: Good to very good.

Season

October and November.

Notes on Variability

The fruit is described as variable, indicating some inconsistency in character between individual specimens or growing conditions.

Book Sources

Described in 1 period pomological work

Downing, Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)

Nursery Catalog Sources

Found in 6 catalogs (1897–1917) from England

Kelway & Son , Langport, Somerset , England — 1897
George Bunyard & Co. , Royal Nurseries, Maidstone, Kent , England — 1900
James Veitch & Sons , Ltd., Royal Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, London (also Coombe Wood, Langley, and Feltham) , England — 1911
Thomas Rivers & Son , Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire , England — 1913
George Bunyard & Co. , Royal Nurseries, Maidstone, Kent , England — 1914
George Bunyard & Co. , Royal Nurseries, Maidstone, Kent , England — 1917

View original book sources (1)

Thompson's.

This Pear, received by us from the Horticultural Society of London, was named in honor of Mr. Robert Thompson, the head of the fruit department in the Society's garden, to whose pomological acumen the horticultural world is so largely indebted. Tree vigorous and productive. Fruit variable. Young wood reddish yellow brown.

Fruit of medium size, obovate pyriform, slightly irregular in surface. Skin pale lemon yellow, with a few small russety dots and patches and streaks. Stalk pretty stout, an inch or more long, inserted in a blunt, uneven cavity. Calyx open, stiff, often without divisions. Basin abrupt, uneven. Flesh white, buttery, melting, sugary, slightly aromatic. Good to very good. October and November.

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

Thompson's Pear Thompson’s Pear Vlesembeck Vlessembeck Van Mons Thompson (Eng.)