Endicott Pear Tree, Historic pear tree in Danvers, Massachusetts, US
The Endicott Pear Tree is a pear tree over 370 years old in Danvers, protected by a wrought iron fence near an industrial park. It continues to produce fruit despite its massive trunk and visible signs of age.
John Endecott, governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony, planted this European pear tree on his estate in Danvers between 1630 and 1649. It remains the oldest living cultivated planting in North America, documenting the direct link between European fruit culture and the young continent.
The tree was planted by early colonists and symbolizes for many the beginning of fruit cultivation in North America. Its survival across centuries has made it a living sign of the resilience of the first settlers.
The tree stands in an unusual location between a road and industrial area, but is clearly marked and surrounded by a protective barrier. The site is accessible on foot, with simple pathways allowing close viewing.
In 1997, tissue samples from the tree were collected to develop clones in laboratories and plant them across 17 states. This created backups of the tree's genetics for the future.
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