We would love to plant a Capital Ornamental Pear in the northwest corner of our narrow Toronto garden. Unfortunately we cannot seem to find the Capital variety anywhere. We have come across plenty of Chanticleers which grow wider than we’d like, ideally.
Is it possible to keep a Chanticleer pruned on the sides to help keep it narrower as it grows? When and how should it be pruned? Is it possible to find a capital pear anywhere in or around Toronto?
How close can we plant either of these ornamental pears to a fence or structure like a garage? And what’s the best way to ensure it roots well and grows well?
Thank you for contacting Toronto Master Gardeners
Sorry to hear you are unable to find your tree of choice. You may want to call your local garden center’s and request if they or anyone else they know carries the Capital Ornamental Pear Tree.
If you choose a Chanticleer ornamental pear tree, it can be pruned in late winter early spring as other fruit trees, to your desired shape. This article by Utah Stat University Extension provides information on pruning fruit trees. Pruning Pear Trees
Adding from the same website Pruning an Ornamental Tree provides information on when to prune an ornamental tree and how to shape the tree. Pruning an Ornamental Tree
Based on how high/wide the Ornamental Pear will grow, that will determine how far from the fence and space between each tree. Chanticleer pear trees can get some 30 feet (9 m.) tall and 15 feet (5 m.) wide. There for I would leave at least 5 feet from the fence and 10 feet between trees.
Please read the Toronto Master Gardener Website; It provides information on Planting a Tree For Life , that includes properly planting a tree and its after care.
This website provides planting information “The size of the hole should be twice as wide as the current container, or for bare root specimens, wide enough to hold all the roots when fanned out in a circle around the trunk. The hole should only be as deep as the root ball or base of the root. When your hole is finished, it should look like a shallow saucer with sloping sides”. The depth of the hole, amendments, watering for the newly planted trees will ensure it roots well and grows well. This information is found in this Toronto Master Gardeners Guide on Planting a tree for life.
The tree you have chosen chanticleer pear is a cultivar of the Callery pear which has recently been recognized as a potentially invasive tree by the Ontario Invasive Council. Invasive trees