Pear tree named ‘Rosebutter’

Abstract

A new European-type pear tree named ‘Rosebutter’ notable for its fruit, which exhibits smooth russeted skin, juicy melting flesh and well-balanced flavor.

Description

Latin name: Pyrus communis.

Variety denomination: Rosebutter.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

‘Rosebutter’ is a new and distinct European pear tree, originating as a chance seedling discovered in 2011 in a cultivated orchard of pear trees of assorted varieties located in Bow, Washington. ‘Rosebutter’ was first asexually propagated by grafting at Bow, Washington in 2012. The variety has been observed to remain true to type over successive asexually propagated generations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

‘Rosebutter’ was first selected for its fruit, which exhibits smooth russeted skin, juicy melting flesh and well-balanced flavor.

Fruit of ‘Rosebutter’ is ready for harvest about one month earlier than similar variety ‘Comice’ pear (not patented). ‘Rosebutter’ is further distinguished from ‘Comice’ as shown in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1
Comparison of ‘Rosebutter’ to ‘Comice’
	‘Rosebutter’	‘Comice’
Bruising	Less susceptible	Very delicate skin
	to bruising	bruises easily
Skin color	Yellow green with	Yellow green with
	fine russet covering	a blush
	surface
Harvest yield	Heavy yield	Moderate yield
Harvest date	Mid- to late	Mid- to late October
	September

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The attached photographs were taken during the 2023 growing season near Wapato, Washington. The tree shown in the photograph was planted in 2021.

FIG. 1 shows fruits, leaves and branches on a ‘Rosebutter’ pear tree;

FIG. 2 shows fruits and leaves on a ‘Rosebutter’ pear tree;

FIG. 3 shows section ‘Rosebutter’ pears;

FIG. 4 shows the trunk and flower buds on a young ‘Rosebutter’ pear tree; and,

FIG. 5 shows fully opened blossoms on a ‘Rosebutter’ pear tree.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following detailed botanical description is based on observations made during the 2023 growing season at Wapato, Washington of two-year-old ‘Rosebutter’ trees grown on ‘Old Home x Farmingdale 97’ rootstock (not patented). Colors descriptions are made with reference to The R.H.S. Colour Chart, 4^th ed. (Royal Horticultural Society, 2001). It should be understood that the characteristics described will vary somewhat depending upon cultural practices and climatic conditions, and will vary with location and season. Quantified measurements are expressed as an average of measurements taken from a number of individual plants of the new variety. The measurements of any individual plant or any group of plants of the new variety may vary from the stated average.

• Tree:
  • • Vigor.—Medium, similar to ‘Comice’.
    • Type.—Ramified.
    • Habit.—Upright.
    • Height.—2.1 m.
    • Spread.—0.6 m.
    • Trunk diameter at 30 cm above the graft.—2.5 cm.
    • Bark texture.—Rough.
    • Bark color.—Greyed-orange 173A.
    • Lenticel length.—4 mm.
    • Lenticel width.—1 mm.
    • Lenticel shape.—Elongated.
    • Lenticel color.—White 155B.
    • Lenticel density per 10 cm².—9.
• Branch (fruiting branches located at around 1 m above the graft union):
  • • Length.—54 cm.
    • Diameter.—0.6 cm.
    • Crotch angle.—70 degrees.
    • Bark color.—Greyed-orange 173A.
    • Lenticel length.—1 mm.
    • Lenticel width.—1 mm.
    • Lenticel shape.—Circular.
    • Lenticel color.—Yellow-green 153A.
    • Lenticel density per cm².—About 15.
• One year old shoot:
  • • Length.—26 cm.
    • Diameter.—0.4 cm.
    • Color.—Greyed-orange 175B.
    • Pubescence.—None.
    • Internode length.—3.5 cm.
    • Lenticel length.—0.5 mm.
    • Lenticel width.—0.5 mm.
    • Lenticel shape.—Circular.
    • Lenticel color.—Yellow-green 153A.
    • Lenticel density per cm².—About 24.
    • Vegetative bud shape.—Elongated.
• Leaves:
  • • Shape.—Ovate.
    • Length.—5.5 cm.
    • Width.—3.5 cm.
    • Blade margin.—Serrate.
    • Apex shape.—Acute.
    • Base shape.—Rounded.
    • Color of upper surface.—Green 137C.
    • Color of lower surface.—Green 138D.
    • Attitude in relation to shoot.—Upward.
• Petiole:
  • • Length.—2.5 cm.
    • Diameter.—0.5 mm.
    • Color.—Yellow-green 154B.
    • Stipules.—Present on distal end of branch only.
    • Stipule color.—Green 137C.
    • Stipule length.—1 cm.
    • Stipule width.—0.2 cm.
    • Stipule shape.—Elliptic.
    • Stipule apex.—Acute.
• Fruit:
  • • Quantity per cluster.—2 to 3 after thinning.
    • Height.—8.8 cm.
    • Diameter.—6.8 cm.
    • Weight.—Average 220 g.
    • Position of maximum diameter.—Equator.
    • Symmetry in longitudinal section.—Asymmetrical.
    • Profile of sides.—Convex.
    • Skin texture.—Smooth.
    • Background color of skin.—Yellow-green 153B.
    • Over color of skin.—Yellow-green 152B russet over >90% of surface.
    • Lenticels.—Dense, circular shape.
    • Length of stalk.—1.5 cm.
    • Diameter of stalk.—0.5 cm.
    • Curvature of stalk.—Somewhat curved.
    • Attitude of stalk in relation to axis of fruit.—Angled.
    • Stalk color.—Grey-brown 199B.
    • Depth of eye basin.—5 mm.
    • Width of eye basin.—2 cm.
    • Attitude of sepals at harvest.—Erect.
    • Firmness of flesh.—Medium.
    • Flesh texture.—Crisp, melting.
    • Aroma.—Mild.
    • Flavor.—Sweet, notes of hazelnut.
    • Juiciness.—Juicy.
    • Brix.—10° Brix (4 weeks post-harvest).
    • Flesh color.—Green-white 157C.
• Seeds:
  • • Quantity per fruit.—7.
    • Shape.—Oval with pointed ends.
    • Length.—10 mm.
    • Width.—5 mm.
    • Color.—Brown 200B.
• Harvest:
  • • Harvest date.—Sep. 21, 2023.
    • Number of picks.—1.
    • Pests and diseases.—No resistance or susceptibility noted to date.
    • Harvest yield.—Very productive, heavy yield.
    • Storage.—Approximately 90 to 120 days at 31° F. in standard cold storage.
• Winter hardiness: Hardy in area tested, USDA Hardiness Zone 7a (average annual low temperature 0° to 5° F.).
• Market use: Fresh.

Claims

1. A new and distinct pear tree named ‘Rosebutter’ substantially as illustrated and described herein.