Endicott Pear Tree, Massachusetts, United States

4BigGuyMA 5:00 PM Nov 30, 2018

Oldest cultivated tree in America
OK, I admit it, I am a history buff. So I thought seeing a 350 year old pear tree that was cultivated by colonial Governor Endicott would be neat. And it was - for me. But, it is just a tree surrounded by a wrought iron fence. It is not for everyone. Still, I think it is neat to know that I have seen the oldest cultivated tree in America.

3Chris B 5:00 PM Jan 6, 2017

America's Oldest Cultivated Fruit Tree
Something of a surprise attraction, I worked right next to the Endecott Pear Tree for 3 years without knowing it. I recently paid a visit to it again last week for the first time in 20 years. It is located just off the rear parking lot in back of the Sylvania office building just off the Endicott Street exit off Rt 128 in Danvers. The entrance is across the street from the entrance to Market Basket. It used to be quite a hike to get to it as it was in the middle of a field far from any parking. Now it is in a bit of a hole surrounded by parking lot -- but easy to get to. The tree was planted by the Massachusetts Bay Colony's first governor in 1633 and it now almost 400 years old and still producing fruit. The tree is the only one of about 500 trees he planted at the time that still remains and is located a short distance up from the Danvers River. There's not a whole lot to see, but it is free. The Sylvania plant is apparently closed down as there are no cars in the lot. The hospital next door has a lot of business and has an adjoining parking lot. I did not see any signage for the tree. Nothing on Endicott Street saying it was there, or even a marker at the sight. But I've been to the site before as a part of a North Shore history course I took at Salem State many years ago. The wrought iron fence surrounding it and the out of control hedges outside the fence remain as they were in 1992. I included a link to a landscape history article i found interesting about it.