Pyrus Chanticleer

Common Name: Chanticleer Pear, Ornamental Pear, Callery Pear

Botanical Name: Pyrus calleryana ‘Chanticleer’

Family: Rosaceae

Origin: Cultivar of Chinese origin

Mature Height: 12-15 metres

Mature Spread: 4-6 metres

Growth Rate: Moderate to fast (40-60cm per year)

Foliage: Deciduous; glossy, oval leaves, dark green through summer, turning spectacular shades of burgundy, orange, and scarlet in autumn

Flowers: Profuse clusters of white, five-petalled blossoms in March-April; lightly fragrant; cover the tree before leaves emerge

Fruit: Small, inedible brown pears (1cm), inconspicuous

Soil Requirements: Highly adaptable; thrives in clay, loam, chalk, or sandy soils; tolerates poor soil and urban conditions; prefers well-drained soil

Light Requirements: Full sun

Hardiness: Fully hardy  tolerates urban pollution, wind, and coastal exposure

Special Features: Outstanding autumn colour; spectacular spring blossom; narrow, columnar form ideal for small gardens and streets; tolerates pollution and compacted soil; low maintenance

The Chanticleer Pear is the ornamental tree that ticks every box – beautiful, compact, adaptable, and utterly reliable. Its naturally narrow, pyramidal form makes it perfect for smaller gardens, tight spaces, and urban settings where width is at a premium but vertical impact is desired.

Spring arrives with a breathtaking flourish as the bare branches become smothered in clusters of pure white blossoms. The display is brief but unforgettable – a cloud of white that glows in the spring sunshine and fills the air with subtle, honey-sweet fragrance. Bees and early pollinators work the flowers with enthusiasm, adding life and movement to the spectacle.

As the petals fall, glossy oval leaves emerge in fresh green, creating a dense, neat canopy that remains pristine through the summer months. Unlike many ornamental trees, ‘Chanticleer’ maintains clean, healthy foliage with minimal pest or disease issues, making it ideal for formal settings and low-maintenance gardens.

But it’s in autumn that ‘Chanticleer’ truly steals the show. The foliage transforms into a spectacular tapestry of burgundy, deep purple, orange, and scarlet – colours so rich and vibrant they rival the finest Japanese maples. The display lasts for several weeks, providing a dramatic finale to the growing season before the leaves fall to reveal the tree’s elegant winter silhouette.

The narrow, upright habit – typically just 4-6 metres wide at maturity – makes ‘Chanticleer’ exceptionally versatile. It’s perfect for avenue planting, flanking driveways, framing entrances, or adding vertical accent to mixed borders. It tolerates urban pollution, compacted soil, and exposed sites with ease, making it a favourite for street planting and challenging locations.

The small, inedible fruits are barely noticeable and cause no mess, whilst the tree’s strong branch structure resists storm damage and requires minimal pruning. This is a tree that looks after itself whilst looking spectacular – the perfect combination for modern gardens.

Choose a site in full sun with well-drained soil. ‘Chanticleer’ is remarkably adaptable and will thrive in clay, loam, chalk, or sandy conditions, and tolerates both alkaline and slightly acidic pH. Its narrow form makes it suitable for planting closer to boundaries and buildings than wider-spreading trees – allow 3-4 metres clearance.

Dig a planting hole twice the width of the root ball but no deeper. Position the tree so the top of the root ball sits level with the surrounding soil. Backfill with excavated soil (no amendments necessary), firm gently, and water thoroughly. Stake young trees for the first 2-3 years using a single angled stake and flexible tree tie.

Apply a 5-7cm layer of organic mulch around the base, keeping it clear of the trunk.

Plant bare-root or root-balled specimens from November to March, or container-grown trees year-round (though autumn and spring establishment is preferable).

Water regularly during the first two growing seasons to establish a deep root system. Once established, ‘Chanticleer’ is drought-tolerant and requires minimal supplemental watering except during prolonged dry spells.

Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser in early spring for the first few years. Mature specimens require no feeding – simply maintain the mulch layer to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

The Chanticleer Pear requires minimal pruning and naturally maintains its elegant pyramidal form. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches in late winter (January-February) when the tree is dormant.

If formative pruning is needed to maintain the central leader or remove competing shoots, do so in winter whilst the structure is clearly visible. Avoid heavy pruning, as this can encourage water sprouts and disrupt the tree’s natural shape.

Check and adjust tree ties regularly during the first few years to prevent rubbing or constriction as the trunk expands.

Winter: Elegant pyramidal silhouette with clean, upright branching; buds begin to swell in late winter.

Spring: Spectacular display of white blossom in March-April, covering bare branches before leaves emerge; lightly fragrant.

Summer: Dense canopy of glossy, dark green foliage; neat, compact form requires no maintenance.

Autumn: Stunning transformation to burgundy, purple, orange, and scarlet; one of the finest autumn colour displays of any ornamental tree.

The Chanticleer Pear’s narrow form and seasonal drama make it an excellent companion for a wide range of plants. Underplant with spring bulbs – Narcissus, Tulipa, or Muscari – to complement the spring blossom display.

For year-round interest, combine with evergreen shrubs such as Buxus, Ilex crenata, or Taxus baccata to provide structure when the pear is bare. Ornamental grasses such as Miscanthus or Calamagrostis add movement and texture whilst echoing the tree’s upright form.

In mixed borders, the autumn colour pairs beautifully with late-season perennials such as Aster, Sedum, Anemone × hybrida, and Rudbeckia.

Generally healthy and trouble-free. Occasionally affected by fireblight (bacterial disease causing blackened shoots – prune out affected growth promptly) or pear rust (orange spots on leaves – usually cosmetic only). Good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering help prevent fungal issues.

‘Chanticleer’ shows good resistance to most pests and maintains clean foliage through the season with minimal intervention.

Our Chanticleer Pears are grown with care to ensure strong, well-structured specimens with healthy root systems and the characteristic narrow form. Whether you’re creating a formal avenue, adding vertical accent to a small garden, or seeking spectacular seasonal colour with minimal maintenance, ‘Chanticleer’ delivers beauty, reliability, and elegance in equal measure. This is a tree that works hard and looks effortless – the perfect addition to any thoughtful planting scheme.