Bartlett Pear

Bartlett Pear is the classic sweet, juicy European pear used for fresh eating, canning, baking, and drying. Fruit is normally harvested while still green and firm, then allowed to finish ripening off the tree as the skin turns yellow. Bartlett may set some fruit alone, but a compatible European pear generally improves production. Because Bartlett has a relatively high winter-chill requirement, crops may be inconsistent in warmer parts of the South; confirm local chill accumulation and the tree's rootstock before making a site recommendation. Available for local pickup from Towns Edge Nursery.

Plant details

• Botanical name: Pyrus communis 'Bartlett'
• Sun: Full sun
• USDA zones: 5–8
• Mature size: Rootstock-dependent; commonly 15–30 ft tall × Rootstock-dependent; commonly 12–20 ft wide
• Chill requirement: Often listed around 700–800 hours; verify supplier tag
• Pollination: Can set some fruit alone, but a compatible European pear improves yield and fruit size
• Bloom: Early to mid-spring
• Harvest: Late summer; pick green and ripen off the tree
• Fruit: Classic bell-shaped pear with green skin that turns yellow and sweet, juicy flesh
• Water: Moderate, consistent moisture in well-drained soil
• Growth habit: Upright deciduous grafted fruit tree; size depends on rootstock
• Pruning and training: Train to a central leader; thin overcrowded branches and remove fire-blight strikes promptly
• Uses: Home orchard, edible landscape, fresh eating, canning and baking
• Wildlife value: Flowers support pollinators; fruit may attract birds and wildlife

Plant size, harvest timing and performance vary with climate, rootstock where applicable, soil, pruning and care.