Seckel Pear Tree

They will serve to pollinate one another. Seckel is just about the only other variety that will.

I really do not know. I would go with Stark's recommendations, whenever possible. That is why I bought a moonglow also. Sorry.

That is correct. It is not pollen-sterile, but it does not pollinate well with all European pears, especially Bartlett and Anjou varieties/strains.

This is the opposite of what we experience. Our moon glow (which is a pollinating partner for one of our other Harrow pears) is first to bloom, with the Seckel coming a little later. However, we have also noted that subtle differences in where they are planted can make a big difference in timing. For example, we get snow drifting in some areas of the orchard, which slows down the bloom cycle for those trees. It just takes a while to melt that deeper snow--which keeps the soils cold. Obviously shaded areas make a difference, as does whether the planting area slopes to the north, which prevents direct sun exposure. Who knew there'd be this many variables? I'm not sure where you are located, we're still in snow. I usually prune a little late in the season (about now) to delay the bloom cycle so as to avoid the risk of losing the crop from late frosts. This means I have to pay extra attenion to insects (as it puts blooming later, and more into the spring bug cycle), but I do avoid frost damage. Next year, when the trees are a little bigger, I'm planning on grafting different types of pears onto the Seckel and Moon Glow (even just an even exchange) to test over the long haul whether placement is a deciding factor in bloom timing. The exchange will also give me protection against the loss of any one critical pollinating tree.

Yes, they will work together as pollinators.

We appreciate you reaching out to us. We do not have a guaranteed ETA on when more will become available. We are very sorry for this inconvenience and completely understand your disappointment. Rest assured, that if you sign up for a notification, you'll be one of the first to be notified when it becomes available again.

If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us, remember that we're here for you. Have a great day!

​

What are we talking about here? This looks like a photo of four pears still attached to a tree limb. A bushel is a measure of volume about the size of a laundry basket. Check the USDA canning guide on the Internet. They give the weight of various fruits,including pears,
per bushel as well as approximate number of fruit that represents as it relates to canning. The amount of fruit varies depending on size. And the Seckel is a fairly small pear, best for eating fresh or specialty cuisine including canning.

We appreciate you reaching out to us. We use several different rootstocks, depending upon the desired result and what is available. For that reason, we're unable to guarantee a specific rootstock.

If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!

Even though Seckel pears are partially self-fertile, they produce much better fruit when cross-pollinated with another European pear variety like:

Bartlett

Moonglow

Starking Delicious

If your tree is blooming but not setting viable fruit, it may not be getting enough cross-pollination. The small, undeveloped fruits are likely aborted due to poor pollination.

🔍 What to check:

Do you have another European pear nearby that blooms around the same time?

Are bees and pollinators active in your yard when the Seckel is in bloom?

💧 2. Over-Fertilization (Too Much Nitrogen)
You mentioned fertilizing in spring and again in early summer, which may be too much—especially if using a high-nitrogen fertilizer. Excess nitrogen encourages lush leaf growth at the expense of fruit development and can cause immature fruit drop.

✅ Tip: Use a balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10 once in spring before bloom, then hold off. Adding compost or mulch instead of extra fertilizer can support healthier, more balanced growth.

☀️ 3. Sunlight and Air Circulation
Pears need full sun (6–8+ hours/day). If your tree is shaded or overcrowded, the fruit may form but not develop fully.

🍐 4. Natural Fruit Drop / June Drop
Pear trees often go through a natural thinning process (called June drop) where they shed excess or poorly pollinated fruit. If yours stays pea-sized and never progresses, it's likely not getting enough viable seeds inside—again pointing to pollination.

🐛 5. Pest or Disease Issues
Though not always the main cause, certain pests (like pear psylla or codling moth) or diseases (like fire blight or scab) can interfere with proper fruit development.

🔍 Check: Are the fruits shriveling, turning black, or falling off early? If so, send a picture and I can help diagnose it more specifically.