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?

i heard Bartletts were good and i needed a cross pollinator, so im crossing my fingers on this one and hoping its good :)

Just wanted to try it. Plus, your plants are so healthy when I receive them. I recommend ordering from your company to friends.

I bought it as a good pollinator

For Canning.

Customer Reviews

470 Ratings
4.2out of 5 stars
470 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

Rated 1 star by 9% of reviewers

1-10 of 470 Reviews
Rated 5 out of 5
Aug 7, 2025
This is great after a few months
this tree is growing great it been a few months and it has great growth
Rated 5 out of 5
Aug 6, 2025
Nice tree
This pear tree has done really well since I planted it. It seems to be thriving, generously adding new leaves. Very happy so far.
Rated 5 out of 5
Aug 6, 2025
Great pear trees
My Bartlett pear trees arrived in great condition and are doing great. I will recommend Stark Brothers for purchasing your fruit trees
Rated 5 out of 5
Aug 5, 2025
Pear
This is the second year of bearing and it's unbelievable. Highly recommended this pear tree
Rated 5 out of 5
Aug 2, 2025
Strong little bare root Bartlett
The bare root was planted in April, perma style if you will, with a 5ft diameter circle made of cardboard layers and half finished compost, I put bone meal in the hole too. I should also point out that the spring weather was so bad this year that I couldn´t put the tree in when it arrived so I had it tipped in a bucket for a week in the garage and then 2 weeks in the ground, wrapped, until it got warm enough to properly plant. The bare root was packed beautifully, very live plant, once in the ground it took off and is 6 feet high now in late July. Ive added more cardboard layers around to keep moisture in and put 2 comfrey plants in the ring. Using 2ft hardware cloth in a circle around the ring to keep critters away and put Billy? Bone Sauce in spots on the trunk. I pruned some small tips at first and it grew branches uniformly. Then I noticed a blight on some of the leaves only to find out Bartlett had been attacked by Pearleaf Blister Mite (ID´d by Google Lens on my phone). So I prepared a Neem oil spray hit all the leaves and undersides. I cut off all infected leaves. Then I applied Surround WP Kaolin Clay in a spray mixture 2.5 cups in 1 gallon so now all the leaves are covered, the tree looks super healthy and happy, I don´t see any blight or withered leaves they all look firm and healthy. it gets water every day and now there is a layer of clean straw in the circle. For winter I will wrap it in burlap and thicken the mulch. It? lookin good. An observation - I planted it in back yard which is mottled to full sun in the morning but in the afternoon, the sun is strong from one side for several hours and I saw the top branches and the main trunk visibly leaning toward the afternoon sun, so in an effort to keep it straight I installed a soft nylon tape to a post gently pulling it back to vertical just to keep it straight. i was not expecting any fruit in the first season so focusing on making the tree grow healthy at first and protecting it during a harsh winter as we had last year. Ive got several bare roots from Stark, quality 2nd to none, and I would have got a lot more but I don´t have the space to plant them in my small yard. Many thanks (photo of pearleaf mite damage included here)
Rated 5 out of 5
Jul 29, 2025
Nice tree!
Tree is growing great, healthy and happy even though we've had 5 or 6 100 degree days. Very happy with purchase. Would buy again.
Rated 5 out of 5
Jul 29, 2025
Love it
Trees came well packed. Planted them and they are growing very well
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 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 .