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This item is a Stark Pick!
Starking® Delicious™ Pear
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Starking® Delicious™ Pear

27 ReviewsAsk Questions
Starting at
$29.99

Description

A Stark Bro's Exclusive!Easy to Grow! A Stark Pick

Our best pear! Enjoy abundant crops of large, Bartlett-style pears that are smooth, sweet and juicy. Fruit keeps well in the refrigerator, so you can savor it later. A favorite of our canning customers. Tree is disease-resistant to fireblight and a strong pollinator for most other pears. Originates from Ohio, discovered in 1930 and introduced by Stark Bro’s in 1953. Harvest in August. Best pollinators: Bartlett, Sunrise, or Moonglow. See more Recommended Pollinators below.

Characteristics

Bloom Color White
Fruit Color Yellow
Fruit Size Large
Ripens/Harvest August
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
Zone Range 5 - 8

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 compatability range of this variety before ordering.

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 - 10' 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'

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 50' 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.

Read about how to grow pear trees »

Shipping Information

Estimated Delivery Date

Get an estimated delivery date »

You don't pay until it ships.

We work hard to make sure that your order arrives at the ideal time for planting in your location. That's why we only ship living products during certain times of the year. Order now and your credit card won't be charged until your climate is suitable for planting success and your order is shipped.

Our Promise of Satisfaction

1 Year Warranty

Every order comes with our promise of satisfaction. If you aren't completely satisfied with your order, let us know within one year for a free one-time replacement or refund.

Tags

We've 'tagged' this item with specific keywords that help you find other products that share features or characteristics with this one. Select a tag below to view all the items that have that particular trait.

Questions & Answers

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Browse 21 questions Browse 21 questions and 64 answers
Why did you choose this?
Stark Bro's Store
Sounded like a similar pear to bartlett
T O on Nov 18, 2019
strong pollinator
Juan J on Sep 2, 2019
Sounded like a similar pear to bartlett
T O on Nov 18, 2019
Because I love Bartlett pears and I needed a dwarf or semi dwarf tree
Susan H on Oct 13, 2019
strong pollinator
Juan J on Sep 2, 2019
Good pollination
Ronald w on Aug 17, 2019
Fire blight resistant, needed pollinator
Melissa R on Aug 2, 2019
Fireblight resistant
melissa m on Jun 16, 2019
Sale + good reputation of "Starking Delicious" trees.
Brenda G on Jun 10, 2019
easy to grow
Tina H on Jun 10, 2019
Have never had this particular pear, it is being purchased to try and to pollinate the Bartlett pear trees.
KATHLEEN C. on May 23, 2019
Good reviews.
Amber C on May 3, 2019
Stark???s best pear and proving itself to be.
Robert B on Apr 30, 2019
comments say a good cross pollinator
Sheryl P on Apr 18, 2019
sweet and juicy
Peter D on Apr 14, 2019
To pollinate other pear and Asian pear trees
Michael T on Mar 28, 2019
I am a home grower and I need a disease resistant tree.
Clara T on Mar 16, 2019
Versatility of the fruit
Steve S on Mar 15, 2019
It pollinates both varieties that are recommended for this area
James H on Feb 24, 2019
My friends sister passed away. Instead of flowers that die, this will continue to grow and provide fruit for them to always remember. And they own an animal sanctuary, so that will also help feed the animals.
Ann S on Feb 21, 2019
Seemed a good choice for canning
Ruth N on Feb 20, 2019
Blight Resistant
Kevin A on Feb 18, 2019
Fire blight resistance and large size.
adam g on Jan 26, 2019
From the information supplied by your web site.
Randy K on Jan 17, 2019
I needed a good pollinator for my Bartlett Pear.
WILLIAM S on Jan 14, 2019
Recommended for my growing zone by LSU Ag folks
Michael K on Nov 12, 2018
Size and suitable for growing area. Enjoy this fruit
Jane M on Oct 2, 2018
Had one at my old house, good tree
Wilson S on Sep 25, 2018
cold hardy and cross pollination
Ronda C on Sep 4, 2018
Good pollinator for the moonglow
Shelly H on Aug 12, 2018
Fireblight resistance.
William C on Jul 24, 2018
I am told this pear is great for eating and keeping.
Rosemaey W on May 23, 2018
My husband lover pears!!!! I am going to surprise him with this.
Linda S on May 7, 2018
Because it is fireblight resistant
STEPHEN K on May 3, 2018
Grandbabies love fruit, didn't have pears yet so this one will live with the Stark Honeysweet Pear tree.
Tammy Z on Apr 25, 2018
these pears grow very well in our clay soil and were priced right!
george q on Apr 22, 2018
Fire blight resistance.
Robert K on Apr 21, 2018
It was listed as a pollinator for the Seckel and it sounds like a dependable choice (I like the words easy to grow!) and this and the Seckel are both listed as fireblight resistant, which is important to me too.
Vivian L on Apr 5, 2018
Fresh eating and juice making
YVONNE F on Feb 25, 2017
Fireblight resistant
WILLIAM M on Jan 6, 2017
This pear pairs well with the Bartlett.
Charles A on Mar 11, 2016
Chosen as your best pick
Brenda H on Mar 6, 2016
I chose this variety for it's fire blight resistance.
Matt O on Feb 25, 2016
when i was a child my father had this tree in our yard and might i add i am now 53 and this tree is still there it doesnt produce like it once did but not bad for a tree over 60 years old. this new tree is being planted for my granddaughter eve
ANTHONY S on Feb 20, 2016
Because I love Bartlett pears and I needed a dwarf or semi dwarf tree
Susan H on Oct 13, 2019
Good pollination
Ronald w on Aug 17, 2019
Will Starking cross pollinate with my existing Moonglow? Thanks, Tom D.
Tom D on Mar 5, 2018
BEST ANSWER: Hi, Tom. Yes, it will. Two great pear varieties. :-)
Will this variety pollinate a Chojuro Asian Pear?
jstrong814 on Mar 1, 2018
BEST ANSWER: Yes, they are both early bloomers and will pollinate one another, even though one is a European pear and one is an Asian pear.
Is this pear a good pollinator for Kieffer pears?
Olga Y on Dec 2, 2019
BEST ANSWER: Most any pear will pollinate Kieffer well. I have three Kieffer pear trees that bear large fruit in large numbers each year - despite still being young slender trees. I just wish the Kieffer pears weren't so hard and grainy. The taste is not as good as other varieties, but the birds and varmints do tend to leave them alone more. My Kieffer pears all began bearing at two years after planting. By year three, they all offered several five gallon buckets of fruit each. Kieffer is also extremely disease resistant - a very hardy tree with hardy fruit.
Do I need to add Lime to the soil?
trempy g on Mar 18, 2019
BEST ANSWER: We recommend you do a soil test before you plant anything. Pears grow best in soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5, so if your soil pH is lower than 6.0, you would add the appropriate amount of lime to raise the pH.
Is standard size available for this pear?
Edith F on Oct 7, 2019
BEST ANSWER: Hi Edith, Currently the only size we have in stock is the semi-dwarf. 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!
how do you known when to pick?
glenk on Sep 9, 2019
BEST ANSWER: Here is a very good article about pear ripening: https://www.starkbros.com/growing-guide/article/pears-ready-to-harvest
Which pear provide crunches taste?
Natalie W on Jul 23, 2019
BEST ANSWER: If you are interested in crunchy pears, you might try an Asian pear. European pears tend to be slightly soft and buttery, and are not known for their "crunch."
How long before the bare root tree produces fruit compared to the EZ start pot?
Tim S on Jun 17, 2019
BEST ANSWER: The root system on an EZ Start tree is about a year further along than a bare-root tree, so it's safe to say that an EZ Start will produce a year sooner - 3-5 years for this variety.
Will the Dwarf Starking Delicious and Dwarf Anjou pears pollinate each other?
Linda on May 28, 2019
BEST ANSWER: The size of the tree doesn't matter; it's the variety and the bloom time that are important. These two are indeed a very good match and both great pears in their own right.
Can this pear tree be escapliered?
Pamela G on Apr 6, 2019
BEST ANSWER: Short answer is: yes. You can espalier practically any fruit tree, including this tree. The dwarf size is the easiest to espalier. Our detailed article can be found here: //www.starkbros.com/growing-guide/article/espalier-fruit-treesOur detailed article can be found here: //www.starkbros.com/growing-guide/article/espalier-fruit-trees
What is supreme bare root?
Torula C on Feb 9, 2019
BEST ANSWER: When shipped, regular trees are about 3-4' tall and/or with a 3/8" or larger trunk diameter. A Stark?? Supreme Tree is one of the season's top-grade, bare-root trees that gives you a head start on growing. When Supreme trees are shipped, they are about 4-5' tall and/or with a 5/8" or larger trunk diameter. A bare-root tree is shipped dormant, without soil.
What size will the moonglow and delicious pear trees be when shiped?
Rickie S on Oct 29, 2018
BEST ANSWER: That will depend upon which option you choose. Please see the "Choose an option" dropdown menu near the top of the page, which will show you the various sizes/options that are available.
Will a honeysweet pear pollinate a starking delicious pear?
armdogg on Oct 20, 2018
BEST ANSWER: Yes, it will. They are an excellent pollinating pair.
Will Delicious Pear pollinate with Hardy Giant Pear?
TODD H on Sep 15, 2018
BEST ANSWER: Yes, they will pollinate one another.
Do I need to wait until next spring to plant? We live in Baltimore, Maryland
Caroline S on Jul 7, 2018
BEST ANSWER: Oh, goodness, no. You can plant new plants and trees: 1) when the ground is not frozen, 2) when daytime temperatures are above freezing (32??F) and below 90??F, and 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. Fall is a great time to plant because the temperatures moderate more slowly than they do in the spring.
Will this pollinate with a red anjou?
Shaxs on May 21, 2018
BEST ANSWER: Yes, it will.
Good Morning, will a moon glow pear pollinate a delicious and visa versa? Thanks, Mike.
Michael M on Apr 5, 2018
BEST ANSWER: Yes, these two are good pollinating partners as well as excellent pear varieties.
Is Seckel self pollinates? Can we have Staking Delecious along with Seckel?
Alags N on Apr 19, 2017
BEST ANSWER: Seckel is not self-pollinating, and Starking?? Delicious will serve as a pollinator. They have similar bloom times. Bartlett is also a good pollinator.
I saw that this variety should help pollinate my Bosc - but will the Bosc help pollinate this variety?
WENDY K on Apr 10, 2017
BEST ANSWER: Yes, they have similar bloom times.
If I purchase the Starking pear tree now, can I buy a pollinator to go with it now?
Linda M on Aug 12, 2016
BEST ANSWER: Thank you for your question. We can't think of any reason why you couldn't. Colette Everbearing is the pollinating tree we recommend.

Customer Reviews

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4.3 / 5.0
27 Reviews
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This variety is very vigorous in south central Missouri clay. Be sure to dig very large hole with peat or other similar amendment at planting time. VERY upright growing requiring yearly pruning to keep tree under control. Some susceptibility to fire blight (infection seems to be related to planting site - don't plant in low areas). Rumor that this is Stark's version of the classical Harrow delight (unconfirmed). Fruit is beautiful and delicious. Children much prefer it over any apple variety! Extremely predated by everything...deer, coons, etc. Never had to spray for insects or disease (when fire blight or blossom blight hits, quickly prune out infected wood). Overall does above average surviving Missouri humidity and periodic droughty conditions. No problem with -20deg F winters (except rabbits eating bark when less than 5 years old - always protect trunk from rabbits).
February 23, 2017
Best pear ever!
This pear really is as delicious as its name proclaims!!!! It is a smaller tree, as pears go, but is loaded with fruit and easy to pick. It swems resistant to fireblight, which has been problamatic for some ifomyother pears. I planted a second one after the tree produced and I tasted the pears. Highly recommend you plant one in your yard. .Mary
May 16, 2016
Purchased
 over 5 years ago
Vigorous
Its growing like a weed on clay soil PH 6.8. Sofar so good
May 19, 2016
Purchased
 over 4 years ago
Had to have another
The City expanded the road in front of my old house & took the Delicious Pear that I had since about 1986. When my new house was done, I just had to plant a new Delicious Pear. The pears were always abundant, large, & very sweet when they ripened. I canned many & used the juice to make pear wine.
May 21, 2016
Purchased
 over 4 years ago
Fabulous and really productive
We planted our Starking Delicious over 20 years ago. It has been a wonderful producer of wonderful, awesome pears. They're so juicy and tasty. Can't say enough things about them. The tree is strong, takes the Kansas heat, and produces in wet and dry years (so long as we don't have a very late frost, and that's not the tree's fault).
June 3, 2017
Very nice
The trees are coming a long great. Very hearty have survived two Pennsylvania winters
May 8, 2016
Purchased
 over 5 years ago
Starklling Pear
Not doing very well.....got leaves on the leader branch, but doesn't seem to be branching out. Disappointed, but doing slightly better than the peach trees
August 10, 2016
Purchased
 over 4 years ago
Good first year growth
This seems to be a very vigorous pear tree and has leafed out great for the first year.
May 16, 2016
Purchased
 over 5 years ago
first pear tree
Doing fine first year; no blossoms but i'm patient. the tree is very healthy and look forward to great harvest in the future.
May 19, 2017
Purchased
 over 3 years ago
These 2 yr old trees are doing well
Hopefully they survive the irrigation trenching I've been doing in my orchard just about all my young pear trees have a handful of fruit set.
July 10, 2017
Purchased
 over 5 years ago

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