Wheeler
PearWheeler Pear
Origin and History
The Wheeler originated in Greenwich, Rhode Island. About 1836, a maiden lady of Greenwich planted the core of a Gardener pear, from which a tree grew. Fruit from this tree was brought to the attention of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society by Dr. Wheeler of Greenwich in 1851, and the Society named the variety in his honor. The variety is referenced in Magazine of Horticulture 24:505, fig. 21 (1858) and in Downing's Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1869).
Tree
Vigorous and upright in habit. Young wood olive yellow-brown (Downing).
Fruit
Size medium. Form roundish-obovate.
Skin: The two principal sources describe the ground color somewhat differently. Downing characterizes it as greenish yellow with a few traces and patches of russet, and numerous gray and green dots. Hedrick describes it as pale yellowish-green, mottled with greenish patches and dotted with numerous gray and green dots. Both agree on the prevalence of gray and green dots; Downing alone notes russet patches.
Stem: Medium length, set in a small, contracted cavity.
Calyx: Open, set in an uneven, abrupt basin.
Flesh: White, juicy, melting, sweet, and pleasant.
Quality
Good.
Season
August.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Wheeler.
Originated in Greenwich, R. I. Tree vigorous, upright. Young wood olive yellow brown.
Fruit medium, roundish obovate. Skin greenish yellow, a few traces and patches of russet, and numerous gray and green dots. Stalk medium. Cavity small. Calyx open. Basin abrupt, uneven. Flesh white, juicy, melting, sweet, pleasant. Good. August.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Wheeler. 1. Mag. Hort. 24:505, fig. 21. 1858. 2. Downing Fr. Trees Am. 880. 1869.
About 1836 a maiden lady of Greenwich, R. I., planted the core of a Gardener pear, from which sprang a tree, fruit of which was brought to the attention of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society by Dr. Wheeler of Greenwich in 1851. The Society named the pear in honor of Dr. Wheeler.
Tree vigorous, upright. Fruit medium, roundish-obovate, pale yellowish-green, mottled with greenish patches and dotted with numerous gray and green dots; stem medium, set in a small contracted cavity; calyx open, set in an uneven, abrupt basin; flesh white, juicy, melting, sweet, pleasant; good; Aug.