Cultivar 339: Simon

Simon is a prairie pear selection from the University of Saskatchewan. It is recorded as a cross of Pyrus ussuriensis and 'Aspa' and was introduced in 1960.[S1] [S3] It came from the hardy Ussurian pear breeding work that produced many Saskatchewan trial pears, but the sources do not present it as a successful introduction. A later Saskatchewan fruit note states that Simon lacks both quality and hardiness and is not recommended.[S2]

The fruit is described as small to undersized, about 2 1/2 by 1 7/8 inches, or roughly 6.0 by 4.5 cm.[S2] [S3] Sources describe the skin as greenish yellow and moderately thin, with creamy white flesh.[S1] [S3] It was classified for processing rather than dessert use. One University of Saskatchewan release note called it an undersized but fair pear.[S1] [S3]

Simon ripened late. One source places it in mid to late September, and another simply lists it as late.[S1] [S3] The same 1960 introduction note says the fruit does not break down readily, suggesting it held together reasonably well after harvest or in use.[S3] Even so, the later Saskatchewan assessment was unfavorable and described the cultivar as lacking quality.[S2]

Its documented testing context is Saskatoon, where it was described under field conditions without irrigation.[S3] This gives Simon a clear prairie evaluation setting, but not a strong hardiness endorsement. The strongest direct statement in the sources is negative: it was said to lack hardiness and was not recommended for Saskatchewan.[S2] Beyond its parentage and institutional origin, the available records add little about tree habit, bearing, or disease. Simon is therefore more notable as a named University of Saskatchewan pear introduction than as a cultivar that earned lasting recommendation.[S1] [S2] [S3]

Summary source basis

• S1: An index of fruit cultivars tested or developed on the Canadian prairies.
• S2: hortfacts_1976_3.pdf
• S3: University of Saskatchewan fruit introductions 1959-1960

This summary currently draws chiefly from An index of fruit cultivars tested or developed on the Canadian prairies., with 2 additional supporting sources linked below.

Featured source descriptions

“Maturity: Late.”
— ^[2]

“Lacks quality and hardiness and is not recommended.”
— ^[3]

Direct parent cultivars

• No direct linked parent cultivars promoted yet.

Parentage claim text

• Origin listed as P. ussuriensis x 'Aspa'.
• Parentage listed as P. ussuriensis x Aspa.

Derived or downstream cultivar links

• No derived or downstream lineage links yet.

Source-story quotations

• PR. No. 9 Simon P. ussuriensis x Aspa 1960 2 1/2" x 1 7/8" under field conditions without irrigation at Saskatoon, mid to late Sept. skin moderately thin, doesn't break down readily, undersized but a fair pear.University of Saskatchewan fruit introductions 1959-1960, p6
• PR. No. 9 Simon P. ussuriensis x Aspa 1960 2 1/2" x 1 7/8" under field conditions without irrigation at Saskatoon, mid to late Sept. skin moderately thin, doesn't break down readily, undersized but a fair pear.University of Saskatchewan fruit introductions 1959-1960, p6
• PR. No. 9 Simon P. ussuriensis x Aspa 1960 2 1/2" x 1 7/8" under field conditions without irrigation at Saskatoon, mid to late Sept. skin moderately thin, doesn't break down readily, undersized but a fair pear.University of Saskatchewan fruit introductions 1959-1960, p6
• PR. No. 9 Simon P. ussuriensis x Aspa 1960 2 1/2" x 1 7/8" under field conditions without irrigation at Saskatoon, mid to late Sept. skin moderately thin, doesn't break down readily, undersized but a fair pear.University of Saskatchewan fruit introductions 1959-1960, p6

Taxonomy context: No family-tree context surfaced yet.

Related cultivars mentioned in source context