Trade Names:  Swiss Pear, European Pear, Common Pear, Wild Service Tree, Sorb Tree

Origin:  Europe

Range:  Swiss Pear is a trade name for the Wild Service Tree, Sorb and Common Pear species which cannot be differentiated as wood. The Wild Service Tree is the most frequently used type of wood, Sorb and Pear being less common. The majority of the wood worked today comes from France but it also occurs in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Due to the strong demand early in the nineties in relation to the low occurrence of this species, the prices for logs have exploded so that Pear belongs to the most expensive species in the world.

Uses:  Over the last five years Pear has become one of the most demanded veneer species in Europe. Used for bedroom furniture, living room furniture, paneling and office furniture. Also used for highest quality interior fixtures for banks, insurances and other representative buildings.

Properties:  A very elegant wood. Unsteamed the wood is white. The warm reddish tone is only achieved by steaming. Many trunks develop brown heart and as a result fail to qualify for exclusive veneer. The development of fine hairs is just as frequent as the figuring which gives the veneer life but unfortunately these still are not sufficiently accepted.

Machining:  Pear is easy to machine with all tools.

Seasoning:  Drying is a very slow process and should be carried out with great care.