Susan,
Many of us growing fruit now are over 50. The people who grow fruit start to age by the time we get really good at it. I’m glad to see people like @disc4tw Ryan starting out establishing his new orchard much the way i did. After waiting years on your Shannon aka Grand Champion like @scottfsmith did i have heard the fruit is worth the wait! I know you said you bought your tree from the gentleman who sold them there in Oregon. He typically sold the tree as Shannon since that was the fruit trees developers last name. Im documenting all i can about it here Shannon pear aka Grand Champion pear . Here is an old newspaper article The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, November 01, 1917, Image 4 « Historic Oregon Newspapers
I noticed Mrs. W.F. Shannon was involved in the community in that area. I think the name is no coincidence. I wish the prices were the same as in 1917 i would feel good about retiring in 10 or 15 years!
