We finally got our hands on some Bartlett Pear trees! But it is only a few.
Bartlett is the pear of choice for northern growers, and it was our number one most requested tree last year in pears! In fact, Bartlett is so sought after, that when we started our sale this year, we couldn’t get our hands on a Bartlett. We now have a few, but it is only a few. So, if you want one, order soon.
Bartletts are great for fresh eating, canning, and baking. They are super-cold-hardy and have good disease resistance.
Bartlett is an heirloom that is still heavily planted. It was originally discovered in 1765 by a schoolmaster in England named Mr. Stair. So, originally, they were known as Stair’s Pear. A nurseryman named Williams bought the variety from Mr. Stair and began propagating it. Over in Europe, our Bartlett is known as their Williams Bon Chretien (which means “Williams Good Christian”). It is simply called the Williams for short.
Please be aware that both Red and Yellow Bartletts do not have much disease resistance. We’ve offered Bartletts because they are much-loved heirlooms, but you need to be aware that they may be susceptible to a variety of disease, some of which could be deadly to the tree. Potomac has better disease resistance but is not an heirloom.
Bartlett pears go from green and firm to yellow and soft as they mature, which makes it possible to pick them at whatever preferred taste and texture stage you prefer. The more soft and yellow, the sweeter the pear.
