Pear, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230

Pear trees are deciduous and usually grow to a height of approximately twelve metres, although some reach greater heights. They are native to southern, central and western Europe, and were introduced into the UK from AD 995.

The pear tree has oval pointed leaves with toothed edges and long stalks, and are light green in spring, turning yellow and then black in autumn. The bark is grey-brown and broken into small square shapes. The fruits grow on long stalks, ripening to a golden yellow colour, with sweet grainy textured flesh.

The fruit is a valuable food source for birds such as the thrush and blackbird, and the foliage provides a perfect habitat for caterpillars, providing food and shelter as they transition into moths and butterflies.

Pear wood, is popular in the construction of woodwind instruments and is also used for wood carving. It does not retain colour, smell or flavour and is resistant to warping and splintering, making it a valuable material for kitchen utensils, spoons and stirrers.

Pear trees have been used for medicinal purposes. pear tree bark is believed to have analgesic properties when boiled, and has been used to relieve the pain caused by sprains, twists and bruises. Infusions made from dry leaves are believed to have diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties, and help to alleviate urinary pain and disorders of the bladder and prostate. The fruit and especially the skin contains multiple beneficial compounds and vitamin C, which stimulate the immune system and contributes towards healthy bones.

Pear trees can live for up to two hundred and fifty years, to the ancient Chinese, the pear symbolised immortality. the pear appears in the song the Twelve Days of Christmas, in which a 'partridge in a pear tree' was sent by the subject's true love on the first day of Christmas. Pear trees only feature in the English version of this song. In ancient Greece, the pear was dedicated to the Goddess Hera, who represented women, and in particular wives and fidelity in marriage. It has been suggested that because of the feminine shape of the fruit and its sweet flavour, the pear may have been associated with early fertility cults. While "fruits" are mentioned in the bible, there are no specific references to pears.

Transcription

Translation

Pirus dicitur a pir quod est. quod in conum tendit;
et arbor et fructus. Poma pirus iumentis inposita;
et etiam pauca; vehementer dicuntur honerosa.
Pirorum frondes et rami; et ipsa pira stiptica sunt. Pi-
raque pontica et inmatura; sunt dura et grossa.
nec prosunt. nec saporis sunt boni. Matura sunt fri-
gida. et sicca. Pira ieiunis nociva sunt. precipue
si pontica sunt et multum sumantur et crebro. Sa-
turis prosunt et soluunt et cibaria inferius premunt;

Pirus is called from pir, which is that which tends to a cone; and the tree and the fruit. The apple of the pear is placed on the cattle; and also a few; They are said to be very honorable.

Pear leaves and branches; and the pears themselves are sticky. Piraque pontica and unripe; they are hard and coarse, neither useful nor of good taste. They are cold and dry when ripe. Fasting pears are harmful, especially if they are pontic and taken a lot and often. They are useful for satiety and loosening and press the food down.

Acknowledgements

With thanks for the researches of library volunteers Alan and Jean Minnerthey.