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How This Pear Tree Became The Oldest Tree In The USA
Episode 119th December 2025 • Plant Connection: A Plant Podcast to Reconnect You With Nature, One Plant At A Time • Lisa Cutshaw
00:00:00 00:12:54

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There is a tree in Massachusetts that has outlasted generations.

Walking past it, it might seem like any other tree. But the Endicott Pear Tree has faced a trip half way around the world and centuries of harsh weather, and still produces fruit.

In this episode, we uncover the remarkable tale of John Endicott, one of the first European settlers, and the pear tree he brought to the New World.

We explore how the European pear became established in North America. The pear tree came to mind when thinking of its inclusion in The Twelve Days of Christmas carol, so we’ll also look into why that partridge was in a pear tree! 

This episode has a bunch of stories you’ll want to share around the table over the holidays.

Covered in this episode:

  • How the John Endicott Pear Tree became the USA’s longest standing tree.
  • Why the pear tree is included in The Twelve Days of Christmas.
  • How the European pear first entered North America.
  • How to grow a pear tree at home.
  • Why Detroit is home to so many pear trees.
  • And more…

If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to Plant Connection on your favourite podcast platform so you don’t miss the next one.

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Plant Connection - https://plant-connection.captivate.fm 

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6ZDb9ovKXRTomKYnyqF8Rv 

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/plant-connection/id1801774758 

CREDITS

Script - Jacob Ashton (https://jacobashton.net/)

Research - Adriana Gogolin

Produced by Claricast.

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