Williams Bon Chretien

History and description of Williams Bon Chretien

Originated before 1770 in the garden of a schoolmaster called Mr Wheeler in Aldermaston, Berkshire, UK. His successor in the garden Mr Stair sent grafts to Richard Williams, a nurseryman at Turnham Green, whose name was given to the variety in 1814. It was imported into the USA towards the end of the 18th century where in 1817 Enoch Bartlett gave it the name Bartlett. It has since become the most widely grown commercial pear throughout the world. It is not only one of the most popular dessert pears but also the most widely used pear for canning.

Medium to large pyriform fruit. Smooth, pale green skin ripening to pale golden yellow. Almost no russet and occasional faint red stripes. White, very smooth, juicy flesh. Sweet with a hint of acidity and distinctive musky flavour. A quality dessert and cooking variety.

Moderately vigorous, spreading tree. Heavy, reliable cropper. Fruit must be picked promptly when ready as it is prone to rotting from the core.

Characteristics of Williams Bon Chretien pear trees

Use	Dual Cul & Des
Colour
Flavour
Fruit size	Medium
Picking time	Sep
Season of use	Sep
Tree vigour	Moderate
Tree habit	Spreading
Fruit-bearing	Spur-bearer
Cropping	Heavy
Suitable for	Late Frost Northern Britain
Pollination date	20
Pollination group	D
Self-fertility	Partially self-fertile
Incompatibility group	1
Pollinators	Pollination partners
Progeny	Beth Bristol Cross Gorham Highland Merton Pride Packham's Triumph
Sports	Sensation Red Williams