This tree, estimated to be 85 years old, is one of the two remaining trees from the King farm orchard. which numbered roughly 300 pear and apple trees. The orchard, located where the St. Francis Church and Hartman field baseball are today, numbered roughly 300 pear and apple trees.
Photo courtesy of Kevin Loftus, Executive Director San Juan Historical Museum
An Arborist historian from the National Park Service identified the Beurre Clairgeau or "Clairgeau" tree for the San Juan Historical Museum.
This variety originating in France in the early 1800s, was a popular commercial variety in the Puget Sound area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
When flavor was the top consideration in variety selection, the Clairgeaue's juicy buttery fruit was highly valued. After other commercial aspects became a priority the variety fell out of favor due to its granular texture, large core, the trees lower vigor. It is susceptible to Fireblight.
This year's photo of the Day series will be a bit different from last year's. The same rules - must be taken this year and in the county - apply with one exception. Once a week, a historical photo along with a link to a 1913 copy of San Juan Islander will be posted as the Photo of the Day. I hope you enjoy this new feature.
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