Kieffer 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 Kieffer Pear
Kieffer Pear is one of the most reliable and widely grown pear varieties across the rural South, valued above all for its outstanding resistance to fire blight, the bacterial disease that devastates many other pear varieties in the Southeast's warm, humid spring conditions. Its firm, gritty-textured fruit is better suited to canning and preserves than fresh eating straight off the tree, but its toughness and reliability have kept it a fixture of Southern home orchards for generations. Like most pears, Kieffer benefits significantly from cross-pollination with a second variety, such as Bartlett, though it shows more self-fruiting ability than many pear varieties. It grows fast, about 2 feet per year, to a substantial 15-20 feet tall, and is notably drought tolerant once established, requiring far less irrigation than apples or peaches. Harvest occurs in September through October; fruit is typically picked while still firm and allowed to ripen off the tree for the best texture and flavor in cooking.
🚚 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 | Low to Moderate — drought tolerant once established |
| Bloom Season | Early Spring flowers, Fall fruit (September-October 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 Kieffer Pear in full sun in well-drained soil; it tolerates Georgia clay and drought better than most other fruit trees once established. Plant a second pear variety like Bartlett nearby for improved cross-pollination and fruit set, though Kieffer has some self-fruiting ability on its own. Prune annually in late winter for an open canopy, and avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer, which increases fire blight susceptibility.
Fast Facts
- Outstanding resistance to fire blight, a major regional pear disease
- Firm, gritty fruit best for canning and preserves
- Some self-fruiting ability, improved with a second pear variety
- Mature size: 15-20 ft tall
- Fast growth: about 2 ft per year
- Drought tolerant once established, harvest September-October
Pairs Well With
Kieffer Pear FAQs
Is Kieffer Pear resistant to fire blight?
Yes, Kieffer Pear is widely recognized as one of the most fire-blight-resistant pear varieties available, a major advantage in Georgia's warm, humid spring conditions that favor this destructive bacterial disease in less resistant pear varieties. This resistance is a primary reason it remains popular in Southern home orchards.
Do deer eat Kieffer Pear?
Yes, Kieffer 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.