Douglas Pear Tree

OUR STORY

Grow the Heirloom Pear That Built Prairie Orchards: The Douglas Pear! Looking for a tough, fast-fruiting pear tree that delivers big harvests without the fuss? Meet the Douglas Pear—a legendary American heirloom prized by backyard growers and commercial orchardists for over a century. A Storied Kansas Heritage Discovered in the 1890s by O. H. Ayer in Douglas County, Kansas, this chance cross between a Kieffer and a Duchesse d'Angoulême quickly captured national attention. Promoted heavily by Mount Hope Nurseries and praised by famous horticulturist Luther Burbank at the turn of the 20th century, the Douglas pear earned its reputation as a virtually fire-blight-proof powerhouse built to survive harsh Midwest winters and scorching summers. Crisp, Juicy, and Unmistakably Sweet Bite into a golden-yellow Douglas pear and experience a burst of sweet, sprightly, slightly wine-like flavor. Its firm, juicy white flesh strikes the ideal balance between sugary sweetness and refreshing acidity—making it an all-around kitchen favorite: • Fresh Eating: Crisp and refreshing straight off the tree in late September to mid-October. • Canning & Preserving: Holds its shape and rich flavor beautifully when canned, spiced, or baked. • Long Storage: Keeps remarkably well in cold storage for months after harvest. Orchard Specs at a Glance • USDA Hardiness Zones: Zones 3–8 (handles deep freezes down to -34°F while thriving in warmer climates). • Chill Hours: ~600–800 hours below 45°F (standard mid-chill requirement typical of Kieffer-European hybrids). • Bloom Time: Early-to-Mid Spring (condensed spring flowering window). • Pollination Partners: Not self-fertile. Plant within 50–100 feet of an overlapping bloomer like Bartlett, Kieffer, Anjou, Bosc, or Moonglow for heavy, reliable fruit set. • Precocious & Productive: Begins bearing heavy crops in just 2 to 3 years! Plant Yours Today! Whether you are starting a low-maintenance backyard food forest or expanding a cold-hardy orchard, the Douglas Pear gives you heirloom flavor with unbeatable resilience. Trees are bench grafted 1/4-3/16 inch diameter and 1 1/2 to 2 feet tall when shipped.

INGREDIENTS