Named after the cock Chantecleer, a character from the Dutch poem Van den vos Reynaerde. This tree grows with a vase-shaped upright crown. A moderately large tree, 8-12 m in height, with a narrow egg-shaped to conical crown. Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer' has broad elliptical and shiny healthy green leaves. Striking yellow, orange and red autumn colours. Old bark is rough, grey-brown and peels off in small pieces.

The flowering, often from March to mid-April, of this typical pear blossom is exuberant. There are 6 to 12 white flowers grouped in umbels, each flower having five petals with the stigma with stamens in the middle. The flower diameter is approximately 2 cm. Until about mid-April, Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer' appears to be covered with late snow. Sometimes small brown, inedible fruits appear after flowering.

Not sensitive to fire blight and almost never suffers from infestation by insects. An excellent tree for narrow streets on fertile, loamy soil. Very hardy and wind resistant. Tolerates paving very well. Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer' is also highly resistant to heat, drought and strong winds which is why it is a beloved street tree and certainly suitable as a specimen in gardens or for use as an espalier.