Description
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.
125% Survival Guarantee!
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 issue a one-time merchandise credit to your account equaling 125% of the original product purchase price. Read more about our warranty policy.
Characteristics
| Bloom Color | White |
| Bloom Time | Early - Mid |
| Chill Hours | 1200 - 1500 |
| 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 - 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' |
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.
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.
Questions & Answers
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Browse 38 questions
Browse 38 questions
and 87 answers
Why did you choose this?
Stark Bro's Store
Wanted a dwarf pear and I like the description of the taste. Also, pollinator with other dwarf pear
WENDY W
on Apr 18, 2021
From customer reviews
Steve P
on Mar 24, 2021
Wanted a dwarf pear and I like the description of the taste. Also, pollinator with other dwarf pear
WENDY W
on Apr 18, 2021
Because I needed a polinator for my Seckel pear tree
David B
on Apr 16, 2021
Will Starking cross pollinate with my existing Moonglow? Thanks, Tom D.
BEST ANSWER: Hi, Tom. Yes, it will. Two great pear varieties. :-)
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- LeAnn Staff on Mar 5, 2018
Is this pear a good pollinator for Kieffer pears?
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.
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- Randall A on Dec 9, 2019
once I get my pear tree at the end of Oct or Nov, do I plant in the ground right away?
BEST ANSWER: Depending on what zone you are in, it might be best to wait until spring to order. I???m zone 5. While they say planting is possible in fall, none of the 3 trees I tried planting in the fall made it to spring. Luckily Stark Bro???s has an excellent warranty and replaced them that spring.
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- Tyler S on Jul 18, 2020
- Purchased on Aug 7, 2018
Will this variety pollinate a Chojuro Asian Pear?
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.
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- LeAnn Staff on Mar 1, 2018
Do I need to add Lime to the soil?
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.
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- LeAnn Staff on Mar 18, 2019
I have a D???Anjou tree I???m about to plant. Will this pollinate well with that?
BEST ANSWER: Yes. These are both early - mid season bloomers so they will cross pollinate each other.
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- Tabitha R Expert on Apr 18, 2021
are moonglow and collette pears compatible pollinators?
BEST ANSWER: We appreciate you reaching out to us. Yes these both are Early to Mid bloomers so they will pollinate each other.
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
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- TiffanyF Staff on Mar 9, 2021
We are surrounded on 3 sides by commercial crop fields, and I am concerned about herbacide drift when the farmers spray the fields. Should this be a concern? How do apple trees stand up to herbacide?
BEST ANSWER: Herbicides are used in special instances and can have a positive effect when needed. It is hard to say for sure if it will effect the apple trees as we are unsure what they use. I would reach out to your local extension office to see if they have any information regarding this in your area.
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- TiffanyF Staff on Mar 9, 2021
what is the approximate size of the trees at the time that you ship them?
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.
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- TiffanyF Staff on Feb 2, 2021
Is this a comice pear tree? Do you have a comice pear?
BEST ANSWER: We appreciate you reaching out to us. We no longer offer the Comice pear.
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
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- TiffanyF Staff on Jan 20, 2021
can I use an Asian pear for cross pollinating with the sparkling pear?
BEST ANSWER: Unfortunately no an Asian pea will not pollinate this variety. Your best pollinators will be Bartlett, Sunrise, or Moonglow.
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- TiffanyF Staff on Dec 23, 2020
Will the Starking Delicious pollinate an Stark Hardy Giant Asian pear?
BEST ANSWER: Unfortunately no these 2 will not pollinate one another to bear fruit. I suggest a Bartlett pear for proper pollination.
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- TiffanyF Staff on Oct 21, 2020
can I plant your Delicious pear tree in spring in East Tennessee? Will you send it to me then?
BEST ANSWER: 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 (32??F) and below 90??F.
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!
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.
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!
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- TiffanyF Staff on Oct 7, 2020
Is this variety tip-bearing or spur-bearing?
BEST ANSWER: We appreciate you reaching out to us. These are tip bearing varieties.
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
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- TiffanyF Staff on Sep 23, 2020
can i plant a pear tree in september?
BEST ANSWER: 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 (32??F) and below 90??F.
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!
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.
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!
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- Inaccurate
- TiffanyF Staff on Sep 8, 2020
I have a starks delicious about 6 years old planted with two other variety pear trees but never has fruit?
BEST ANSWER: We appreciate you reaching out to us. In order for pollination to occur the trees need to be in the same bloom season and if not they will not cross pollinate and will not ever bear fruit.
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
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- TiffanyF Staff on May 29, 2020
Does this variety have any resistance to fireblight?
BEST ANSWER: We appreciate you reaching out to us. Yes this is resistant to fire blight.
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
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- TiffanyF Staff on May 29, 2020
what is starking pear ?
BEST ANSWER: I have had this tree for two years, this year it is really looking good, but I don't expect any pears for a couple more years. I don't know what the difference between this pear and otherrs are, but because of the "Delicious" in the name, I tried it.
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- KATRINA H on May 5, 2020
- Purchased on Apr 29, 2018
Are the chill hours correct for this tree? 1200 - 1500 hours?
BEST ANSWER: hello chandler az. I have this tree and it's a good tree, I think to answer your question the chill hours can be less and still produce well in my part of ky the chill hours are far less and my tree is already producing and several older trees produce very well with less winter cold.
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- George on Apr 28, 2020
- Purchased on Apr 21, 2018
Is standard size available for this pear?
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!
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- Tabitha R Expert on Oct 8, 2019
how do you known when to pick?
BEST ANSWER: Here is a very good article about pear ripening: https://www.starkbros.com/growing-guide/article/pears-ready-to-harvest
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- LeAnn Staff on Sep 9, 2019
Which pear provide crunches taste?
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."
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- LeAnn Staff on Jul 23, 2019
How long before the bare root tree produces fruit compared to the EZ start pot?
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.
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- LeAnn Staff on Jun 17, 2019
Will the Dwarf Starking Delicious and Dwarf Anjou pears pollinate each other?
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.
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- LeAnn Staff on May 28, 2019
Can this pear tree be escapliered?
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-trees Our detailed article can be found here: //www.starkbros.com/growing-guide/article/espalier-fruit-trees
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- LeAnn Staff on Apr 6, 2019
What is supreme bare root?
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.
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- LeAnn Staff on Feb 9, 2019
What size will the moonglow and delicious pear trees be when shiped?
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.
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- LeAnn Staff on Oct 30, 2018
Will a honeysweet pear pollinate a starking delicious pear?
BEST ANSWER: Yes, it will. They are an excellent pollinating pair.
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- LeAnn Staff on Oct 21, 2018
Will Delicious Pear pollinate with Hardy Giant Pear?
Do I need to wait until next spring to plant? We live in Baltimore, Maryland
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.
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- LeAnn Staff on Jul 8, 2018
Customer Reviews
4.4 / 5.0
28 Reviews
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).
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February 23, 2017
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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
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Vigorous
Its growing like a weed on clay soil PH 6.8. Sofar so good
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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.
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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).
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June 3, 2017
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Very nice
The trees are coming a long great. Very hearty have survived two Pennsylvania winters
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Exceeded My Expectation
When I ordered the Starking Delicious Pear tree my order was promptly handled. From the time it shipped until I received it was two and a half days. The tree was in excellent condition and I set it out immediately. The tree was a 3 ft. bare root tree. It is now starting the second year and it is 7 ft. tall and growing vigorously. From the quality of the tree and its initial growth, I expect it to be bearing fruit, possibly next year. Stark Bros. never disappoints me.
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Good first year growth
This seems to be a very vigorous pear tree and has leafed out great for the first year.
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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.
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Starkling Delicious Pear
I got his because you rated it as your "best" pear and that it was a good pollinator for my Moon glow Pear. Neither have borne fruit year but lots of blossoms this spring. It's a gorgeous dwarf tree, now about 8 ft. tall
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