De Dr. Larijweg in Ruinerwold is known for it. Seven kilometers long, left and right are completely full of pear trees, more than 1200 pieces. But nobody actually knows exactly what species they are and something is now being done about it.
Lukas Duijts is walking along the street this week with other hobby pomologists to discover what types of trees are there along the road. “Pomologist, you can’t really call us that,” says Duijts with a smile. “That is a nice word for someone who recognizes fruit varieties, but I did not officially study for it.” Duijts has had that hobby for decades.
He stands in the middle of the road, looks at a tree, picks up a pear from the ground and turns it in his hand. “You have to look, feel, sometimes smell and if it really has to taste,” he explains. “Only then do you know what kind you have.”
He points to the tree. “Everyone thinks this is a Gieser Wildeman. But look, the tree is bigger and the pear is a bit thicker. So this is a mirror pear.”
Not every tree betrays itself so easily. Sometimes the pear is still too hard or too green. Then the thick fruit books must be made from the bag. Browse, compare and look carefully. “Do you see that straight stem?” Duijts says. “That is typically a Legipont, you recognize it immediately.”
All finds are written down and will soon be put in a digital system. Volunteer Jeee Keizer says: “This way everyone can look up where which tree is. Are you looking for a Winterjan? Then you just click on the menu. Nice for residents, but also for tourists who come cycling or walking here, there was really a demand for that.”
The investigation comes exactly in a good pear year, the trees are full. The pear day is in Ruinerwold in October, then the pears are sold.
Three days were set out to view all trees. “It’s a best challenge, seven kilometers and of course back.”