Description

Easy to Grow! A Stark Pick

Characteristics of the Bartlett Pear Tree

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 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.

Using Bartlett Pears

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.

Growing the Bartlett Pear Tree

Bartlett pear trees require full sun and enough cold weather in the winter to receive 800 chill hours. They require cross pollination. Click here to find great pollinator options. They also need well drained soil. See below for more soil characteristics and USDA hardiness zones.

Buy a Bartlett pear tree to enjoy fresh pears and bake tasty desserts, as well as preserve an abundance of delicious fruit.

Note: Not suitable pollinator for Seckel pear trees.

Survival Guaranteed!

Since 1816, Stark Bro’s has promised to provide customers with the very best fruit trees and plants. It’s just that simple. If your trees or plants do not survive, please let us know within one year of delivery. We will send you a free one-time replacement, with a nominal shipping fee of $9.99. If the item in question is not available, we can issue a one-time credit to your account equaling the original product purchase price or issue you a refund. Read more about our warranty policy.

Characteristics

Bloom Color White
Bloom Time Early - Mid
Chill Hours 800
Fruit Color Yellow
Fruit Size Large
Hardiness Zone Range 5 - 8
Pollination Pollinator Required
Ripens/Harvest Late August
Shade/Sun Full Sun
Soil Composition Loamy
Soil Moisture Well Drained
Soil pH Level 6.0 - 7.0
Taste Spicy
Texture Smooth, Firm
Years to Bear 4 - 6

Size & Spacing

Mature Size

The mature size of this variety depends on the version you choose to plant:
Standard 18 - 20' tall x 12 - 13' wide
Semi-Dwarf 12 - 15' tall x 9 - 11' wide
Dwarf 8 - 10' tall x 6 - 7' wide

Recommended Spacing

The space needed for this variety to grow depends on the size you plant:
Standard 18 - 20'
Semi-Dwarf 12 - 15'
Dwarf 8 - 10'

Zone Compatibility

This Variety's Zone Range 5 - 8
My Hardiness Zone ?
The USDA hardiness zones offer a guide to varieties that will grow well in certain climates. Each zone corresponds to the minimum winter temperatures experienced in a given area. Make sure that your hardiness zone lies within the zone compatibility range of this variety before ordering.

Pollination

This variety requires another one for adequate pollination.

Cross-pollination by a different variety is key to its growing and bearing success. Plant one of these varieties within 100' for best pollination.

Tools & Supplies

Having the proper tools and supplies when growing your own can make the difference between a good harvest and a great harvest! Here's a list that our experts recommend for this variety.

Planting & Care

Learn all about how to grow pear trees in The Growing Guide. An entire section of our website dedicated to your growing success.

Shipping Information

Arrives when it's time to plant

Your success is our priority. We work hard to make sure that your order arrives at the ideal time for planting in your location based on your local climate conditions.

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Questions & Answers

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248 Questions
Why did you choose this?

For Canning.

Good choice for growing in Oklahoma.

I wanted a pear to espalier. Bartlett was listed as a good option online.

my favorite from my childhood

my property is an old farm that is infested with every rust an bugaboo there is. I’m giving up on my apple trees. I’m considering replacing them with pear and peach. Suggestions?

Have you researched what trees grow well in your area? Maybe just find out what trees do well with your local climate and insects, etc. and plant them. It could be that you have apples that simply don't do well in your area, but a different variety of apples would thrive.

Can a Chojuro be used as a pollinator for a Bartlett? A Bartlett is listed as a pollinator for the Chojuro but the Chojuro is not listed as a pollinator for the Bartlett.

Bartlett tends to be an early-season blooming variety, so it is compatible with Chojuro; however, since bloom time overlap can vary by year and location, you may want to opt for another compatible European pear variety to be a more dependable pollination source for your Bartlett.

Is Bartlett high blight tolerant?

Bartlett pear trees are NOT firelight resistant and Starks description does not do a good job to make it plan and the lady at customer support didn`t seem well informed about it. I planted 2 Bartlett pear trees back in 2005 and they did well right to the point they started to produce which time the FB wiped them out, real shame.

what is the time to pick the pears for zone 5?

Thank you for your question. The time to pick pears depends upon when they are ripe, not on your hardiness zone. You may have experienced a very hot/cold/wet/dry summer, all of which will affect when your crop ripens.

Unlike apples, most pear varieties do not ripen best while still on the tree. They can become mushy or mealy, and can rot from the inside. If you pick your pears when they're slightly immature, they will ripen better. Most mature pears will detach when you tilt them sideways, so pick them before that.

Have a Bartlett with a Moonglow within a 100 ft but doesn’t set fruit on ether one-why?

My pears are not well enough established to bear fruit yet. I wouldn't think that distance would be a problem, possibly blooming to early and affected by cooler temps or a lack of pollinators. I have had a wet late spring also affect apples this last year. Try some mason bee structures.

i

Will this work on dogwood trees?

Dogwood trees like some shade, pears require full sun,

Can I trim the limbs while it's bearing pears and not hurt it?

I would not do any considerable trimming until the dormant season (fall/winter). Opening wounds during the wet season can increase the chance of disease (especially for pear trees). Cutting while it's too dry in the summer could cause the tree to dry too much.

We live in the Pensacola, FL area and have two Bartlett pear trees we planted side-by-side a few years ago. They bear a great deal of fruit. However, no matter what we do, the pears are always as hard as rock! Is there something we should do to remedy this? I know of others in our area have

Pears do not ripen on the tree; they must ripen off the tree. This article will help a lot: //www.starkbros.com/growing-guide/article/pears-ready-to-harvest

Will a Bartlett Pear pollinate with an Asian Pear?

I have 2 Bartletts from Starkbros. I have 2 Asian pears. My Asian pears bloomed during late Feb and into early Mar. The Bartletts just starting to wake up in the middle of Mar. So, in my case no it does not overlap.

Do Bartlett Pears make good preserves ?

Yes ,Bartlett's are excellent for canning.

Customer Reviews

463 Ratings
4.2out of 5 stars
463 Ratings

Rated 5 stars by 65% of reviewers

Rated 4 stars by 15% of reviewers

Rated 3 stars by 9% of reviewers

Rated 2 stars by 2% of reviewers

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1-10 of 463 Reviews
Rated 5 out of 5
Jul 26, 2025
Off to a great start!
Stark Bro's shipped the tree at the correct time (April 15 for my area), ground was thawed and ready for planting. The bare root tree was in great shape (not dehydrated from sitting in a warehouse for an extended amount of time), and it leafed out evenly and beautifully. I know where I'm going to get my trees in the future!
Rated 5 out of 5
Jul 24, 2025
Pear and apple trees
Both of mine are thriving they sprouted leaves within a few day
Rated 5 out of 5
Jul 18, 2025
Protect from deer
Arrived healthy and is growing well. The problem has been deer
First tried netting but tree was not getting enough light. Now it is in tree prison surrounded by wire fencing. I don't share well!
Rated 5 out of 5
Jul 14, 2025
Great Pear tree
love this pear tree Lots of pears yellow and sweet. Its just like the one my grandpa had . I have 2 .
Rated 5 out of 5
Jul 10, 2025
Customer
Beautiful and thriving. I recommend Stark Bros. to all my family and friends.
Rated 5 out of 5
Jul 8, 2025
Bartlett pear tree
At first I was afraid this one wasn't going to make it as it stayed dormant for a long time. Every time I did the scratch test I found green, so I kept waiting, and then suddenly the tree started sprouting beautiful green leaves all over and is doing really well.
Rated 5 out of 5
Jun 24, 2025
My over all impression was a good one, all went well. I bought other trees from here as well.
The trees took right off so we are hoping the winter treats them good. I love Bartlette Pears.
Rated 5 out of 5
Jun 22, 2025
Great product and customer service
I love your customer service and products.
Thank you for being there to take care of your customers, that's a rare find in today's world.
Rated 5 out of 5
Jun 22, 2025
Best purchase ever!
I absolutely love these trees! They need very little maintnance and they really produce. I have purchased eight of them so far over the years and they are all doing very well!
Rated 5 out of 5
Jun 16, 2025
Dwarf Pear
Planted it as soon as I received it. By mid-June has already grown one foot.