Pear, Bartlett
Pyrus communis 'Bartlett'
Family: Rosaceae
Other Names: Williams’ Pear (Pyrus communis 'Williams')
1/2-7/8 inch diameter at sale, bare root
~3-5 ft tall at sale
Sourced from New York
Large yellow fruit.
General Information
Recommended Spacing (ft) 12 - 15 Mature Width (ft) 12 Mature Height (ft) 20 Annual Growth Rate (in) 24 Pollination Needs Pollinator required Bloom Time March Ripens/Harvest August Soil pH 6.0 - 6.5 Soil Type Loam Soil Moisture Well-drained Sun Preference Full Sun Taste Sweet Texture Smooth, Firm Description
The Bartlett pear, known as the Williams pear in parts of Europe, is the best-selling pear variety in the world. It is a European pear, as opposed to an oriental hybrid or an Asian pear. The fruit is enjoyed both for eating fresh and for cooking.
These fruit trees came to the United States from Europe during the 1790’s, when it was grown and sold by a man in Massachusetts named Enoch Bartlett. From that time, the pear bore his name in the United States. Bartlett pears are grown commercially in California and the Pacific Northwest.
The tree has fluffy, white blossoms that bloom mid to early spring, and it is fast growing. The pears grow green on the tree but ripen to a light golden yellow.
Homesteaders will enjoy preserving an abundance of fruit. These lovely pears can be canned, dehydrated, and frozen. The trees are easy to grow and will start to produce fruit in four to six years.
Bartlett pears are favored for their sweet taste and fragrance. They are also lovely to look at, with the classic pear shape, and hints of red behind the deep yellow skin. Pair the fresh fruit with cheese and wine for a tantalizing appetizer or with meats and sausages for a charcuterie.
These pears are also preferred for canning because of the ability of the fruit to hold its shape and retain its sweet flavor. Chefs and home cooks enjoy the firm quality of the pear, using it for baking desserts, such as crisps and pies. It is a valuable addition to savory dishes, including stuffings and roasted meats.
Pears are a good source of fiber and are rich in copper and vitamins C and K.
Fertilizer:
- Year 1: none
- Years 2-4: ½ cup per year per plant (loose recommendation, follow label of specific fertilizer)
- Years 5+: 1 cup per plant (loose recommendation, follow label of specific fertilizer)
- Recommended fertilizer: 13-13-13 granular applied in Spring
Disease: Susceptible to fire blight
Pruning: Late Winter
[description from starkbros.com]
Resources
Selecting, Growing and Ripening European Pears by Orin Martin, Manager of Chadwick Garden at the Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems at the UC Santa Cruz
Bartlett Pear Pruning, WSU Tree Fruit
Picking and Storing Apples and Pears, OSU Extension