Bartlett Pear
For sale in Lawrenceville, GA
- Fast (2 ft/year)
- Full Sun
- Cold hardy to USDA Zone 8a
- Georgia grown & ready to plant
Secure checkoutLicensed & insured installation crew
About Bartlett Pear
Bartlett Pear is the classic, most widely recognized fresh-eating pear variety, producing the familiar bell-shaped, sweet, buttery-textured fruit sold in grocery stores nationwide, ripening in a Georgia home orchard around August. It is more susceptible to fire blight than tougher regional varieties like Kieffer, so it benefits from being planted alongside a fire-blight-resistant partner variety, which also serves as a valuable cross-pollinator, since Bartlett generally produces better with a second, different pear variety nearby rather than growing alone. It grows fast, about 2 feet per year, to 15-20 feet tall, and needs full sun and good drainage. Fruit is typically harvested while still firm and green and allowed to ripen at room temperature indoors for the best flavor and texture, since pears ripen from the inside out and can develop a mealy texture if left to fully ripen on the tree. Pairing Bartlett with Kieffer gives a Georgia home orchard both classic fresh-eating quality and strong disease resistance across the planting.
🚚 Delivery available to Lawrenceville and all of Gwinnett County — see our service area for exact timing.
Plant Specifications
| Mature Height | 15-20 ft |
|---|---|
| Mature Width | 12-15 ft |
| Sun Requirements | Full Sun |
| Water Needs | Moderate — consistent moisture, especially in the first few years |
| Bloom Season | Early Spring flowers, Late Summer fruit (August harvest) |
| Growth Rate | Fast (2 ft/year) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 8a |
| Deer Resistant | No |
| Pet Safe | Check with a vet |
| Native to Georgia | No |
Planting Instructions & Regional Tips
Plant Bartlett Pear in full sun in well-drained soil, and plant a second pear variety such as Kieffer nearby for improved cross-pollination and disease resilience, since Bartlett is more fire-blight susceptible on its own. Prune annually in late winter for an open canopy and avoid excess nitrogen, which increases blight risk. Harvest fruit while still firm in August and ripen indoors at room temperature for best quality.
Fast Facts
- Classic fresh-eating pear variety, familiar bell shape
- More fire blight susceptible — plant with resistant Kieffer
- Harvest late summer, typically August
- Best ripened indoors after picking while still firm
- Mature size: 15-20 ft tall
- Fast growth: about 2 ft per year
Pairs Well With
Bartlett Pear FAQs
Should you let pears ripen on the tree?
No, Bartlett Pears and most pear varieties are best picked while still firm and green, then ripened indoors at room temperature for several days to a week. Pears ripen from the inside out, and fruit left to fully ripen on the tree often develops a mealy, gritty texture near the core.
Do deer eat Bartlett Pear?
Yes, Bartlett Pear is not considered deer resistant and can be browsed by deer, especially newly planted specimens. In Gwinnett County areas with heavy deer pressure, fencing or repellent application is worth considering until the plant is well established.