Stark® Honeysweet Pear Tree
Description
About the Stark® Honeysweet Pear Tree
The Stark® Honeysweet Pear delivers exceptional sweetness and smooth, buttery texture, reminiscent of the classic Comice pear but with the added benefit of strong fire blight resistance. Its medium-sized, golden-green fruit is perfect for fresh eating, baking, and preserving, making it a versatile favorite for home orchards.
A Stark Bro’s introduction, this variety combines superior flavor with reliable performance. It’s a self-pollinating pear and will produce fruit on its own but yields even larger, more consistent crops when paired with a compatible pollinator. Harvest season begins in September, offering a dependable early fall bounty.
How to Grow the Stark® Honeysweet Pear
This hardy tree thrives in full sun and well-drained soil and performs best in USDA Zones 5–8. Minimal maintenance is required beyond occasional pruning to encourage airflow and strong branching. With its excellent disease resistance and reliable productivity, it’s an easy choice for both new and seasoned growers.
With its rich, sweet flavor and low-maintenance nature, the Stark® Honeysweet Pear tree is ideal for anyone looking to enjoy homegrown pears straight from the orchard to the kitchen.
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 | 1200 - 1500 |
Fruit Color | Yellow |
Fruit Size | Large |
Hardiness Zone Range | 5 - 8 |
Pollination | Self-Pollinating |
Ripens/Harvest | Early September |
Shade/Sun | Full Sun |
Soil Composition | Loamy |
Soil Moisture | Well Drained |
Soil pH Level | 6.0 - 7.0 |
Taste | Sweet |
Texture | Firm, Smooth |
Years to Bear | 4 - 6 |
Size & Spacing
Mature Size
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
Standard | 18 - 20' |
Semi-Dwarf | 12 - 15' |
Dwarf | 8 - 10' |
Zone Compatibility
Pollination
Tools & Supplies
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
Questions & Answers
Mine is doing well in less than full sun.
if you'll plant honeysweet with a bag of great soil mixed in like say miracle grow garden soil and water the heck out of it once a week it will leaf out within a couple weeks as soon as it gets warmer like june keep it damp but not drown it it'll shoot out like crazy, mine has doubled in size in one season doubled in height, but you've got to take good care of it. good luck and it'll be great eating soon.
Jerry,
I have heavy clay soil here in SW Ohio but I think if you add a lot of organic matter when you prepare to plant you'll be fine.
Honeysweet is self-pollinating, so it will develop fruit without having another variety blooming nearby, but Bartlett and/or Red Sensation are some additional examples of compatible pear varieties that can be used for cross-pollination.
1) While they are usually self-fertile, your chances always improve with a second pear or Asian pear. I'd recommend if space is an issue getting a dwarf variety, even one that is potted, to help out. 2) In the first flowering, it's best to pluck most of the flowers from the tree so it can focus on growing rather than fruit production. I know it's been a long wait, but this will help more. PS - noting what zone you are in and type of soil is helpful. Fruit trees do not take "7 or so years" to bear fruit, that's what it takes for them to start reaching their full potential. We had pears our second year.
Honeysweet Pear ripens approximately September. The fruit will be very firm when harvested and ripens as it is held on the counter at room temperatures.
Absolutely... mines in a 55 gallon planter and is thriving and has bloomed.. the second year.... I've gotten 5 pears off of it and you usually have to wait 3-5 years ..
We have not had pears produce yet.
You can grow almost anything in a container! This excellent article will answer your questions and provide good advice. Please see "Growing Fruit Trees in Containers" //www.starkbros.com/growing-guide/article/fruit-trees-in-containers-pt1
We appreciate you reaching out to us. Because weather and soil conditions vary so much from year to year and even within your zone, it's best to think of your planting time as a range of favorable conditions instead of an exact time.
You can plant new plants and trees:
1) when the ground is not frozen.
2) when daytime temperatures are above freezing (32ºF) and below 90ºF.
3) when extreme weather (blizzard, hail, torrential rain, etc.) is not in the forecast. Be sure to keep plants watered if you're transplanting in warm and/or dry weather.
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
Customer Reviews
All in all I've been very happy with my fruit tree purchases with StarkBro's.
I wanted to see how it grows in my gardan
I wanted a self pollinators. And I thought I would try one of Stark's exclusives.
Used to live on a farm and had a small orchard. Now in retirement we live in suburban community with a yard. Self pollinating and dwarf habit is the answer here. New variety for me. Love Bosc but…
Self pollination