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

28 ReviewsAsk Questions
Starting at
$32.99
Each

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
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 - 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

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.

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 31 questions Browse 31 questions and 81 answers
Why did you choose this?
Stark Bro's Store
I want a variety of fresh fruit trees. I trust these trees from Stark bros will provide great fruit.
Diana M on Oct 31, 2020
Self pollinator.
Delmus F on Oct 23, 2020
I want a variety of fresh fruit trees. I trust these trees from Stark bros will provide great fruit.
Diana M on Oct 31, 2020
I have not tried this, but it sounds like a good variety for our area and may pollinate our Asian Pear.
Jeanne P on Oct 31, 2020
Self pollinator.
Delmus F on Oct 23, 2020
My mom, age 90, loves pears
DAWN K on Oct 19, 2020
pollinator for bartlett I bought previously
suzanne d on Sep 20, 2020
Selected as a pollinator pair for the Bartlett pear.
Angela A on Aug 26, 2020
Not mushy fruit.
Noelle B on Aug 9, 2020
I bought every dwarf variety that was available.
David N on Aug 2, 2020
To help the production of my trees I already have
CHARLES S on Jun 2, 2020
Need it for pollination and trust your recommendation.
Vincent H on Jun 2, 2020
suggested for nice canning and sweet flavor and needed a pollinator for my Bartlett
ATF1 on May 25, 2020
Necessary for pollination
Robert R on May 24, 2020
Looks good
Teresa T on May 23, 2020
Going on Stark???s recommendation. Really looking forward to comparing Bartlett, my favorite, with the Starking Delicious.
Tim J on May 14, 2020
looked like a good pear to go with the seckel pear
charlotte B on May 13, 2020
Pollinator and disease resistance.
Paula D on May 11, 2020
to pollinate Seckel pear and had experience with this pear from my mothers orchard. Always produced well.
Elizabeth Y on May 10, 2020
These pears look like good producers. I want to can pears and this seems to be a good choice.
Dennis D on May 10, 2020
Same reason as for Bartlett.
david b on May 2, 2020
I have a moonglow tree to pollinate it .
Alice D on Apr 29, 2020
Pollinator for Anjou Pear that allows a staggered harvest time for both.
Annie M on Apr 27, 2020
Chosen as pollinators for Bartlett and because it has similar traits to the Bartlett
Rosemary F on Apr 21, 2020
I need pollinator trees for my Bartlett pear trees.
Lainie on Apr 21, 2020
Recommend by local nursery
Phyllis C on Apr 18, 2020
I chose this tree because it was recommended as a good tree for pollination with the Bartlett pear.
Erica E on Apr 18, 2020
Needed a pollinator, this is listed as ???easy to grow???. Also smaller mature tree for my space.
K K on Apr 16, 2020
taste and easy to grow
Rachael C on Apr 7, 2020
success with present tree. (please no sub on this tree, fire blight where I live.)
bobbie r on Apr 5, 2020
The smoothest non gritty pear I have ever tasted. Bought one years ago for my Mother for Mother's day and to this day she thinks it is the best gift I ever gave her.
J A on Apr 4, 2020
Pollinator
Jeffory C on Apr 1, 2020
I chose this pear tree as the pollinator for the Bartlett pear tree I ordered. These pears sound like they sound be delicious too. This also gives my bees more blossoms to visit.
Karen E on Jan 8, 2020
Good pollinator for other pear tree.
Karen D on Jan 3, 2020
1) To pollinate the Comice pears.
2) Comice pears are fabulous, yet these are advertised as y'all's (how's that for a contraction, lol?) best - this I have to see/ taste/ have!
CR H on Dec 18, 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
I have not tried this, but it sounds like a good variety for our area and may pollinate our Asian Pear.
Jeanne P on Oct 31, 2020
My mom, age 90, loves pears
DAWN K on Oct 19, 2020
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. :-)
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.
once I get my pear tree at the end of Oct or Nov, do I plant in the ground right away?
Leslie V on Jul 18, 2020
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.
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.
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.
Will the Starking Delicious pollinate an Stark Hardy Giant Asian pear?
Samuel L on Oct 19, 2020
BEST ANSWER: Unfortunately no these 2 will not pollinate one another to bear fruit. I suggest a Bartlett pear for proper pollination.
can I plant your Delicious pear tree in spring in East Tennessee? Will you send it to me then?
Fawn H on Oct 1, 2020
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!
Is this variety tip-bearing or spur-bearing?
JenBOH on Sep 20, 2020
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!
can i plant a pear tree in september?
conrad g on Sep 3, 2020
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!
I have a starks delicious about 6 years old planted with two other variety pear trees but never has fruit?
John S on May 15, 2020
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!
Does this variety have any resistance to fireblight?
Erma B on May 14, 2020
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!
what is starking pear ?
mark p on May 1, 2020
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.
Are the chill hours correct for this tree? 1200 - 1500 hours?
Chandler, AZ on Apr 25, 2020
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.
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?
Jason J 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.
What mature tree size is the Starking pear now available - dwarf, etc. ?
Wayne S on Apr 1, 2020

Customer Reviews

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4.4 / 5.0
28 Reviews
5 Stars
4 Stars
3 Stars
2 Stars
1 Star
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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 6 years ago
Vigorous
Its growing like a weed on clay soil PH 6.8. Sofar so good
May 19, 2016
Purchased
 over 5 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 5 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 6 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 6 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 4 years ago
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.
June 3, 2019
Purchased
 over 2 years ago
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
May 4, 2018
Purchased
 over 4 years ago

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