Concorde is a modern English dessert pear variety, with an excellent sweet flavor and juicy flesh. It is has become a minor commercial variety in England and western Europe, and is popular with gardeners because it is partially self-fertile.
Concorde was developed at the East Malling Research Station in the UK, in the 1970s, and is a cross betweeen Conference and Doyenne du Comice. These two varieties are obvious partners as they have such complementary qualities. Comice is widely regarded as the best-flavored of all pears, but has a reputation for being difficult to grow. Conference has a good flavor too, but is best known for its ubiquitous grower-friendly characteristics. The result of this marriage, Concorde, looks very much like Conference, and like Conference it is easy to grow and productive - but its flesh and flavor inherit some of the lofty refinement of Comice.
Concorde pear identification images
All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.
USDA identification images for Concorde
The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.
Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.
Parents and other ancestors of this variety
- Conference (parent)
- Doyenne du Comice (parent)
Visitor reviews
Tree register
United States
- Chris Meek in Lexington, OHIO
United Kingdom
- Amanda in London,
- Billy Auger in Hopton Wafers, SHROPSHIRE
- Billy Auger in HOPTON WAFERS, SHROPSHIRE
- Christiane in SHUDY CAMPS, CAMBRIDGESHIRE
- Claire in LANCASTER, LANCASHIRE
- Claire Doble in Leeds,
- Conrad Maloney in CHELTENHAM, GLOUCESTERSHIRE
- David Cowperthwaite in Liverpool, MERSEYSIDE
- David Haynes in Catterall, LANCASHIRE
- Deborah Kaufmann in Hyde,
- Dmnc in CHICHESTER, WEST SUSSEX
- Eric Hill in SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE
- Hayley Buchanan in Spilsby,
- John p in Heathfield, EAST SUSSEX
- Les Brear in Todmorden, WEST YORKSHIRE
- Lexi in Nottingham, CHOOSE AN OPTION
- Mark Pollatos in Tonbridge, KENT
- Nathalie Mills-Oaka in London, LONDON
- Peter Downes in SHILBOTTLE, NORTHUMBERLAND
- Peter Revell in Hemel Hempstead, HERTS
- Philip Babey in SOUTHAMPTON, HAMPSHIRE
- Susan.Boothby@Gmail.Com in Edinburgh, SCOTLAND
- Terry Wells in Carmarthen,
- Wayne Seagate in Watlington, NORFOLK
Spring blossom records for this variety
2025 season
- 11th April 2025 - tree owned by Wayne in Watlington, United Kingdom
2023 season
- 12th April 2023 - tree owned by Claire in Leeds, United Kingdom
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Origins
- Species: Malus domestica - Apple
- Parentage: Doyenne du Comice x Conference
- Originates from: East Malling, Maidstone, Kent, England, United Kingdom
- Introduced: 1984
- Developed by: HRI (East Malling Research)
- UK National Fruit Collection accession: 1986-021
Identification
- Awards: RHS AGM (current)
- Country of origin: United Kingdom
- Period of origin: 1950 - 1999
- Fruit colour: Green - light
- Flower colour: White
- Leaf colour: Green
- Popularity: Best sellers
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
Using
- Picking season: Late
- Keeping (of fruit): 2-3 weeks
- Flavour quality: Very good
- Flavour style (apples): Sweeter
- Discoloration of fruit: Slightly oxidising (browns slowly)
- Cropping: Heavy
- Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
- Food uses: Eating fresh
- Picking period: early October
- Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
Growing
- Gardening skill: Beginner
- Flowering group: 4
- Pollinating others: Average
- Ploidy: Diploid
- Vigour: Average vigour
- Precocity: Precocious
- Bearing regularity: Regular
- Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
- Organic culture: Suitable
- Self-fertility: Partially self-fertile
Climate
- Climate suitability: Temperate climates
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
- Cold hardiness (RHS): H6 (to -20C)
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cold (< 20C / 67F)
Other qualities
- Disease resistance: Average
- Scab (Apple and Pear): Some susceptibility
- Powdery mildew: Some susceptibility
- Canker: Very susceptible
- Fire blight: Very susceptible
Where to buy trees
The following tree nurseries offer Concorde pear trees for sale:
- Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (UK) United Kingdom
Concorde pear trees
Where to buy fresh fruit
No orchards have registered as growing this variety. If you grow this and want to register please go to our Orchard Registration form.
References
- Fruit Expert
Author: Hessayon - The Book of Pears (2015)
Author: Morgan
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