Obelisk®
Pyrus communis Obelisk is a new columnar dwarf pear variety. It takes up very little space in the garden, as it grows with a particularly upright habit.
The medium-sized pears are mostly green, sometimes with a red flush, and ripen quite late - early to mid-October. They can be kept for several months over winter in a fridge or cold store, and have a mild flavour and firm flesh.
A further useful feature of Obelisk is that - unlike the vast majority of pears - it is reliably self-fertile and can be grown without another pear tree nearby for cross-pollination.
Obelisk pear trees for sale
RF12-year bare-root
tree
on Quince A rootstock£47.50
Mature height: 2m-3.5m after 10 years
Can be grown on as a large bush-trained fruit tree.
Available next season
RF21-year bare-root
tree
on Pyrodwarf rootstock£40.50
Mature height: 3m-5m after 10 years
Can be trained on as a large pear tree, or half-standard pear tree.
Available next season
Growing and Training
We graft most of these trees on Quince A rootstock, which is usually semi-vigorous, but Obelisk is a naturally dwarfing variety and is unlikely to reach more than about 2.5m or so in the longer term, with a spread of less than 1m. The branches are not stubs (as in Ballerina apple trees) or spurs (as in cordon-trained apples and pears), instead they grow to a normal length - but they curve upwards and stay close to the main stem.
The naturally dwarf habit of Obelisk also makes this a good variety for growing in a large pot or planter on a terrace or patio.
Little or no pruning is required for this variety.
Recommended pollinators for Obelisk pear trees
Obelisk is self-fertile, so you do not need another variety to pollinate it to produce fruit.
However you are likely to get a better crop if you plant any of the following pollinator varieties nearby.
If you are not sure about pollination requirements don't hesitate to ask us.
More pollinators >
BethAn easy and reliable early-season pear, with a very good melting flavour.
ConcordeA marriage of Conference and Comice - Concorde is easy to grow, heavy crops, excellent flavour.
ConferenceConference is a popular and reliable English pear, well-suited to the UK climate.
SensationA red-coloured sport of the popular Williams pear, with a similar good flavour.
WilliamsWilliams is a classic English pear, also known as Bartlett, with good flavour and quite easy to grow.
History
Obelisk was developed in Slovakia.
Obelisk characteristics
- Gardening skillAverage
- Self-fertile?Self-fertile
- Pick seasonLate
- Picking monthOctober
- Picking periodearly October
- Keeping1-2 months
- Food usesEating fresh
- Country of originSlovakia
You might also like these varieties
BethAn easy and reliable early-season pear, with a very good melting flavour.
ConcordeA marriage of Conference and Comice - Concorde is easy to grow, heavy crops, excellent flavour.
ConferenceConference is a popular and reliable English pear, well-suited to the UK climate.
WilliamsWilliams is a classic English pear, also known as Bartlett, with good flavour and quite easy to grow.
More about pear trees
The modern dessert pear with its refined flavours and melting flesh evolved in the 19th century, and with some exceptions almost all the pears we know today were developed at that time.
Unlike apples, which often helpfully come away in the hand when they are ripe, if you let pears ripen on the tree you will find they are overripe inside. Instead pears need to be harvested before they are ripe - then ripened in a fruit bowl. This just takes practice, and after a few seasons you will soon know the tell-tale little signs that your pears are ready for picking.
