Semi Dwarf Pear Tree – ‘Doyenné du Comice’

Fruit Type: Pear
Botanical Name: Pyrus communis ‘Doyenné du Comice’
Fruit Colour: Greenish-yellow with red flush
Growth Habit: Semi dwarf deciduous fruit tree grafted onto slow-growing rootstock
Final Height: Approx. 4–5 m
Expected Yield: Approx. 20–40 kg per season once mature
Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Fertile, well-drained soil
Pollination: Not reliably self-fertile; compatible pollinators include Saint Rémy, Clapp’s Favourite, Bonne Louise d’Avranches, Williams, Conference, Comtesse de Paris, or Beurré Hardy
Hardiness: Hardy to approx. −25°C; blossoms may be sensitive to late spring frost

‘Doyenné du Comice’ is widely regarded as one of the finest dessert pear varieties, originally developed in France in the mid nineteenth century. It is highly valued for its exceptional sweetness, delicate aroma, and refined eating quality.

This variety produces large pears with greenish-yellow skin that often develops a warm red flush as the fruit ripens. The flesh is buttery, very juicy, and intensely sweet with a rich aromatic character. The fruit is particularly suited to fresh eating, desserts, and gourmet dishes where the flavour can be fully appreciated.

Harvest typically takes place in autumn, often during October depending on seasonal warmth and local growing conditions. Under suitable storage conditions the fruit can be kept for several weeks.

This pear grows as a semi dwarf fruit tree, remaining more manageable than traditional full-sized orchard pears while still producing generous yields. The controlled size is achieved through grafting onto a slow-growing rootstock, a technique widely used in professional orchards to regulate tree height and support reliable fruit production.

In spring the tree produces abundant white blossoms that attract bees and other pollinators, creating an elegant ornamental display before the foliage fully develops.

Pears thrive in sunny positions with fertile, well-drained soil. A warm, sheltered location supports healthy flowering and proper fruit development.

We select our fruit trees with winter hardiness in mind, ensuring suitability for reliable outdoor cultivation in our climate.

With proper care and placement, ‘Doyenné du Comice’ becomes a productive and long-lived fruit tree, rewarding gardeners with generous harvests of richly flavoured dessert pears.

All trees are sold and delivered as 1-2 year old trees, similar to those supplied to commercial orchards, in jute bags filled with rich Dutch soil, depending on availability and variety.