North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Douglas Woodard <dwoodard@becon.org>]

Jay, where do you plan to grow this pear? What are the conditions?

Clapp's is a couple of weeks earlier than Bartlett, a nice big pear, 
good quality, fairly coldhardy, not a keeper, highly vulnerable to 
fireblight. It is grown to some extent commercially here; a saleable 
pollinator. It is grown with Flemish Beauty (big, very high fresh 
quality but fireblight prone, not a cooker; dries well, picks late 
Sept.) near Brockville in the St. Lawrence valley a little downstream 
from Lake Ontario; just a little too cold for Northern Spy apple.

Among somewhat earlier pears, a friend raved about Beurre Precoce 
Morettini in the Vineland collection, although from what I hear I think 
it takes fireblight at least as readily as Bartlett.

Some years ago I identified locally two trees of what I think were
Tyson, and was most impressed with the fresh eating quality; did not try 
preserving. They bore well with apparently no/minimal care, on the edge 
of an old commercial orchard (Bartlett with Duchesse D'Angouleme 
pollinators). Tyson is reputed fairly cold-hardy and highly resistant to 
fireblight. Picks about three days before Bartlett. Rather small 
unthinned but not much worse than the nearby Bartlett. Trees available 
from St. Lawrence Nursery
http://www.sln.potsdam.ny.us
Judging from "The Pears of New York," Hedrick had a high opinion of Tyson.

Among Bartlett competitors I believe Sirrine, Sierrra and Highland (the 
latter a Geneva Station cultivar) seem well regarded. Bierschmidt has 
been spoken of very highly by NAFEX members, very thin skinned and does 
not ship, Bartlett seedling, more cold hardy and more resistant to 
fireblight.

Luscious is said to be a little smaller than Bartlett, a little better 
flavoured, bred at Brookings, South Dakota.

Bosc is the number 2 commercial pear here; fireblight prone and not too 
coldhardy, but very nice fresh quality, productive, good size.

Two or three years back in the archives you will find a discussion of 
the Harrow pears. You could do worse considering their fireblight 
resistance; one at least seems well regarded for quality.

Doug Woodard
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada


On 9/14/2011 8:12 PM, Jay Cutts wrote:
> Here's what I've found out so far about pears.  Lon - thanks for the
> recommendation of Seckel
>
> Looks like most pears require a pollinator, so the idea of a single pear
> tree is out.  According to some sources (MIller's Nursery) Seckel
> actually requires TWO different varieties other than itself. Anyone have
> actual experience with this?
>
> I'm looking at a variety called Clapp's Favorite. It fruits a month
> earlier than pears such as Seckel and Beurre D'Anjou and yet apparently
> can pollinate and be pollinated by these. Has anyone grown or eaten a
> Clapp's? I'm wondering if it is great for fresh eating.
>
> So I'm torn between trying to go with Seckel and only one other
> pollinator and have all my pear trees ripen at the same time (or else
> have Seckel not fruit at all) or to go with Clapp's and DAnjou and have
> the season spread out. Danjou looks like it is good for storage though,
> so I could keep those maybe for a number of months.
>
> Help! Have I missed any other great pears?
>
> I'm glad you guys understand this fruit thing.  I could never explain
> this to my friends, let alone get any sympathy!
>
> Regards,
>
> Jay
>
> Jay Cutts
> Director, Cutts Graduate Reviews
> Lead Author, Barron's Test Prep Publications
> 800-353-4898 day or eve, 7 days
> (In NM, 505-281-0684)
>
>
>
> On 9/14/2011 2:33 PM, Lon J. Rombough wrote:
> > The old Seckel is outstanding for fresh eating and the fruit is colorful.