Pear Tree 'Bartlett'

The Bartlett pear, known as the Williams pear in parts of Europe, is the best-selling pear variety in the world. It is a European pear, as opposed to an oriental hybrid or an Asian pear. The fruit is enjoyed both for eating fresh and cooking.

These fruit trees came to the United States from Europe during the 1790’s, when it was grown and sold by a man in Massachusetts named Enoch Bartlett. From that time, the pear bore his name in the United States. Bartlett pears are grown commercially in California and the Pacific Northwest.

The tree has fluffy, white blossoms that bloom mid to early spring, and it is fast growing. The pears grow green on the tree but ripen to a light golden yellow.

Homesteaders will enjoy preserving an abundance of fruit. These lovely pears can be canned, dehydrated, and frozen. The trees are easy to grow and will start to produce fruit in four to six years.