{"title":"Fruit Trees Under $40","description":"\u003cp\u003eCold-hardy bare root fruit trees for under $40.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRelated: \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/fruit-trees\"\u003eFruit Trees\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-under-35\"\u003ePlants Under $35\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/multi-plant-bundles\"\u003eMulti-Plant Bundles\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"chicago-hardy-fig-bundle-of-2","title":"Chicago Hardy Fig (Bundle of 2) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chicago Hardy Fig is a fig tree rated hardy to zone 6 in our ratings (winters to -10°F), and needs no pollination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 6 to 10. A bare number means the whole of zone 6, colder half included (winters to -10°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 100 hours (50 to 200). From published figures. That's low, so chill is never short here, but it can wake early in a midwinter warm spell. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#chicago-hardy-fig-bundle-of-2\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo Pollination Needed. Chicago Hardy fig needs no pollination and no partner plant. One plant will fruit on its own. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pollination-charts#fig\"\u003ePollination Charts\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (7\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10), salads and slicing (6\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10), drying (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eIn Montana, Chicago Hardy figs will need to be:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-rte-list=\"true\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eBrought indoors for the winter (a basement works well)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eOr protected through other means like burying\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eMost growers here simply store them inside for half the year, starting around September, and enjoy growing them during the warmer months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eFruit Description\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-rte-list=\"true\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eSize: Medium to large, about the size of a golf ball\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eFlesh: Thick, sweet, strawberry-pink pulp\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eSkin: Very thin and fully edible\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eA tasty, rich fig that’s enjoyable fresh off the tree\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-rte-list=\"true\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eHardy to Zone 6–7\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eNot winter-hardy in Montana without protection (burying in the ground) or bringing in. In some mild parts of the state, there may even be winters where it doesn't die back, and if it does, it likely won't kill the roots, in which case if the root system is established, since Figs bear fruit on current season's wood, you'd still get fruit on the shoots that emerged after winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eTree Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-rte-list=\"true\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eSize at sale: Approximately 6–12 inches tall\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eCompact and easy to manage in containers or small spaces\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Chicago Hardy Fig\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Chicago Hardy Fig?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Chicago Hardy Fig hardy to zone 6, which means winters down to about -10°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Chicago Hardy Fig need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 100 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 50 and 200. That comes from published figures for this variety. Figs need only about 100 chill hours. Even stored in a cold garage or buried for winter, Chicago Hardy gets plenty. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#chicago-hardy-fig-bundle-of-2\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Chicago Hardy Fig good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Chicago Hardy Fig are fresh eating (7\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10), salads and slicing (6\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Chicago Hardy Fig ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42472434860098,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/chicago-hardy-fig-fruit-cut.webp?v=1789019775"},{"product_id":"cold-snap-pear","title":"Cold Snap® Pear (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cold Snap® Pear is a pear tree rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 5 of 7, mid-late for a European pear), and it ripens about Sep 27 to Oct 10 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 800 hours (600 to 1,000). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#cold-snap-pear\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 5 of 7 (mid-late), mid spring here. Cold Snap is not self-fertile. Plant it with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flemish-beauty-pear\"\u003eFlemish Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e or Seckel; Cummins trials found poor fruit set when \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett\u003c\/a\u003e was the partner. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/w0cjbu6yrtjetw48n6ga9edg4vgxoe\"\u003eFlemish Beauty Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seckel-pear\"\u003eSeckel Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/clapps-favorite-pear\"\u003eClapp's Favorite Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/clara-frijs-pear\"\u003eClara Frijs Pear\u003c\/a\u003e and 16 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pear-pollination-map\"\u003ePear Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Sep 27 to Oct 10 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOHxF 87: semi-dwarf, about 14 to 19 ft tall unpruned. The most precocious OHxF stock. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter storage (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSometimes damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 2-3 ft or 3-5 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOriginally bred as \u003cem\u003eHarovin Sundown\u003c\/em\u003e in the 1970s by H. A. Quamme, this variety was licensed to the Vineland Innovation and Research Center, which began selling trees in 2015.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eWhy We're Growing Cold Snap\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eAlthough this is our second year growing \u003cem\u003eCold Snap\u003c\/em\u003e, we were enticed by its breeding for Ontario’s cold climate and its strong disease resistance. Hardy down to -40°F, these pears will thrive across much of Montana—except in some of the more brutal areas east of the Divide. If you're in a spot that regularly sees temps colder than -40°F, we recommend going with one of the Russian pears grafted onto Ussurian pear. (We have several of those for Spring 2027, including \u003ca href=\"\/products\/krazulya-pear\"\u003eKrazulya\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/larinskaya-pear\"\u003eLarinskaya\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/krasnobokaya-pear\"\u003eKrasnobokaya\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/vekovaya-pear\"\u003eVekovaya\u003c\/a\u003e.)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eRootstock and Tree Sizes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThese \u003cem\u003eCold Snap\u003c\/em\u003e pears are grafted onto OHxF87 rootstock, which is also hardy to -40°F to -45°F. Trees come in two sizes (same age but one grew better in the nursery):\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCurrent-year bare root stock: 2-3 ft. tall\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCurrent-year bare root stock: 3-5 ft. tall\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Cold Snap® Pear\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Cold Snap® Pear need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Cold Snap® Pear needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Cold Snap is not self-fertile. Plant it with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flemish-beauty-pear\"\u003eFlemish Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seckel-pear\"\u003eSeckel\u003c\/a\u003e; Cummins trials found poor fruit set when \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett\u003c\/a\u003e was the partner. Partners we carry include Flemish Beauty Pear, Seckel Pear, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/clapps-favorite-pear\"\u003eClapp's Favorite Pear\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Cold Snap® Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Cold Snap® Pear hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Cold Snap® Pear need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 600 and 1,000. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#cold-snap-pear\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Cold Snap® Pear ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 27 to Oct 10 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Cold Snap® Pear get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Cold Snap® Pear onto OHxF 87 (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 14 to 19 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Cold Snap® Pear good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Cold Snap® Pear are winter storage (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Cold Snap® Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Cold Snap® Pear now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 2-3 ft.","offer_id":45125070782530,"sku":null,"price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45125070815298,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/cold-snap-pear-on-tree.webp?v=1789019810"},{"product_id":"empire-apple","title":"Empire Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Empire Apple is an apple tree rated hardy to zone 3b in our ratings (winters to -35°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 3 of 7, early-mid for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Sep 29 to Oct 11 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3b to 7. The b means the warmer half of zone 3 only (winters to -35°F). Our notes have it taking -50°F. Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 800 hours (600 to 1,000). Well documented. Independent sources agree. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#empire-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 2 to 4. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blue-pearmain-apple\"\u003eBlue Pearmain Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 100 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Sep 29 to Oct 11 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpy 227: full size. A Northern Spy selection. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), salads and slicing (7\/10), pies and baking (6\/10), sauce and butter (6\/10), drying (6\/10), juice and sweet cider (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 2-3 ft or 3-5 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eThis is Bruce Benson’s favorite apple—and for good reason. Developed by Cornell University in the 1940s as an open-pollinated cross between McIntosh and Red Delicious, this variety might surprise you. Don’t let its Red Delicious parentage fool you; it has inherited more of its McIntosh genetics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eRegional Performance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eThese apples have been growing in Montana since at least the 1970s and have performed exceedingly well in the western parts of the state, including the Missoula, Bitterroot, Flathead, and Mission valleys. We’ve also seen them thriving in Idaho, particularly near Kamiah and Orofino.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eOf course, this apple is also grown extensively in New York and throughout the Northeast and East Coast. However, if you live in the eastern part of Montana or in areas where winter lows drop below -40°F, consider a different variety. While this apple \u003cem\u003emight\u003c\/em\u003e survive sub -40°F temperatures, based on its parentage—McIntosh's limit is around -40°F (or slightly lower), and Red Delicious is even less hardy—we recommend choosing a more cold-tolerant variety in those regions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eVersatile Culinary Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eEmpire apples are great for fresh eating, drying, sauces, and other processing or culinary pursuits. They’re truly an all-purpose apple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eRootstock Information for Spring 2027\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eFor Spring 2027, we’ve grafted Empire onto Spy 227. These trees are one year older and come in 2-3 ft. and 3-5 ft. sizes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-rte-list=\"true\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpy 227: \u003c\/strong\u003eFull size, hardy to at least -50F, possibly more\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eSpy 227 is hardier than Empire itself, so the variety is the limiting factor here. We wouldn’t suggest growing Empire if your area consistently sees temperatures below -45°F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhotos: “Empire on wood 1” by Nerd271, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Empire_on_wood_1.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 4.0\u003c\/a\u003e; “Empires on cloth 2” by Nerd271, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Empires_on_cloth_2.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 4.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Empire Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Empire Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Empire Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 2 to 4. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Empire Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Empire Apple hardy to zone 3b, which means winters down to about -35°F. Our notes have it taking -50°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Empire Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 600 and 1,000. That figure is well documented: independent sources agree. Nurseries agree on about 600 to 800 chill hours. Montana winters cover that with lots to spare. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#empire-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Empire Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 29 to Oct 11 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Empire Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Empire Apple onto Spy 227 (full size).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Empire Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Empire Apple are fresh eating (8\/10), salads and slicing (7\/10), pies and baking (6\/10), sauce and butter (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Empire Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Empire Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Spy 227 Full Size: 2-3 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45125836570690,"sku":null,"price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Spy 227 Full Size: 3-5 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42499062235202,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/empire-apple.jpg?v=1791615456"},{"product_id":"northern-spy-apple","title":"Northern Spy Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Northern Spy Apple is an apple tree rated hardy to zone 4 in our ratings (winters to -30°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 5 of 7, mid-late for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Oct 8 to Nov 7 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 4 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 4, colder half included (winters to -30°F). Our notes have it taking -50°F. Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,100 hours (1,000 to 1,250). Well documented. Independent sources agree. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#northern-spy-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 5 of 7 (mid-late), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 4 to 6. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/oriole-apple\"\u003eOriole Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-spy-apple\"\u003ePrairie Spy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 70 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Oct 8 to Nov 7 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBud 118: semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper, about 12 to 18 ft tall unpruned. Stands on its own, few suckers. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePies and baking (9\/10), fresh eating (8\/10), cooking and roasting (8\/10), winter storage (8\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), juice and sweet cider (7\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 2-4 ft or 4-6 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorthern Spy – A Firm, Flavorful Classic and Breeding Powerhouse\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorthern Spy was one of the favorite apples of our mentor, Rod McIver. Rod grew it up in Kalispell, where the climate is slightly colder and the growing season shorter than in Missoula. As a late-season variety, Northern Spy was just on the edge of being able to ripen in time for him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Rod:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“\u003cem\u003eExcellent flavor and firmness, a personal favorite. Many great apples have been derived from it, including \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp\u003c\/a\u003e, Sweet 16, Keepsake, etc. Seldom ripens on the tree before the last frost; however, the fruits can be picked and ripen in storage, and they keep very well.\u003c\/em\u003e”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRipening and Storage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile Northern Spy often struggles to ripen fully on the tree before the first frost, it is known for ripening well off the tree and storing beautifully. This makes it an excellent choice for those looking for a late apple that can develop flavor in storage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRootstock and Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor Spring 2027, we have Northern Spy on Bud 118, a semi-dwarf rootstock (in our soils\/climate in MT) that is hardy to roughly -50F (possibly more if there is consistent snow cover).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhoto credits: “Northern Spy on tree” and “Cross section of Northern Spy” by the National Fruit Collection, Brogdale, via Wikimedia Commons (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Northern_Spy_on_tree,_National_Fruit_Collection_(acc._1951-102).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003e1\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Cross_section_of_Northern_Spy,_National_Fruit_Collection_(acc._1951-102).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003e2\u003c\/a\u003e), licensed under the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalarchives.gov.uk\/doc\/open-government-licence\/version\/2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eOpen Government Licence v2.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eIllustration: “Northern Spy” by Amanda Almira Newton, USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection, Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/hdl.handle.net\/10113\/POM00000596\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003ePOM00000596\u003c\/a\u003e). Public domain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhotos: “A tisket, a tasket I bought Northern Spies in a basket. #michiganapples #northernspies #apples #applesauce #applepie” by Kate Ter Haar, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/katerha\/52466004271\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eFlickr\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY 2.0\u003c\/a\u003e; “PI 588872, Malus domestica, Northern Spy - Flower in Branch” by USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System (GRIN-Global), via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/npgsweb.ars-grin.gov\/gringlobal\/accessiondetail?id=1004166\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eUSDA GRIN\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain; “johnny apple” by katie hargrave, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/khargrav\/2942448293\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eFlickr\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY 2.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Northern Spy Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Northern Spy Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Northern Spy Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 4 to 6. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeycrisp\"\u003eHoneycrisp Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/oriole-apple\"\u003eOriole Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Northern Spy Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Northern Spy Apple hardy to zone 4, which means winters down to about -30°F. Our notes have it taking -50°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Northern Spy Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,100 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 1,000 and 1,250. That figure is well documented: independent sources agree. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#northern-spy-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Northern Spy Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Oct 8 to Nov 7 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Northern Spy Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Northern Spy Apple onto Bud 118 (semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper), which makes a tree roughly 12 to 18 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Northern Spy Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Northern Spy Apple are pies and baking (9\/10), fresh eating (8\/10), cooking and roasting (8\/10), winter storage (8\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Northern Spy Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Northern Spy Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 2-4 ft.","offer_id":42518934028354,"sku":null,"price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45134156693570,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/northern-spy-apples-basket.jpg?v=1791617882"},{"product_id":"summercrisp-pear","title":"Summercrisp Pear (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Summercrisp Pear is a pear tree rated hardy to zone 2b in our ratings (winters to -45°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 3 of 7, early-mid for a European pear), and it ripens about Aug 13 to Aug 27 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 2b to 8. The b means the warmer half of zone 2 only (winters to -45°F). Our notes have it taking -45°F. Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 800 hours (500 to 1,000). Published figures disagree, so treat this as a middle estimate. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#summercrisp-pear\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), mid spring here. Summercrisp needs a different pear nearby to set fruit. It makes lots of good pollen, so it is also one of the best early pollenizers for Beurre Giffard, Ure and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/luscious-pear\"\u003eLuscious\u003c\/a\u003e. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ure-pear\"\u003eUre Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/giffard-pear\"\u003eBeurré Giffard Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/danjou-pear\"\u003eD'Anjou Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/stuttgarter-gaishirtle-pear\"\u003eStuttgarter Gaishirtle Pear\u003c\/a\u003e and 25 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pear-pollination-map\"\u003ePear Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Aug 13 to Aug 27 in Missoula (estimated for Missoula from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOHxF 87: semi-dwarf, about 14 to 19 ft tall unpruned. The most precocious OHxF stock. Ussurian: full size, about 20 to 30 ft tall unpruned. The hardiest pear species there is. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSometimes damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 2-3 ft or 3-5 ft or 5-7 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThese pears have done very well at Rod McIver’s orchard off Rose Crossing in Kalispell, MT, where temperatures reached -35°F on 1\/12\/24. \u003cem\u003eSummercrisp\u003c\/em\u003e showed no damage at these temps and has survived even colder conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eTree Growth and Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe tree is upright to spreading, fairly precocious, and very well spurred. It's considered an excellent pollenizer for early-ripening pears and has good resistance to fireblight.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFruit Quality and Hardiness Zones\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe fruit is medium-sized and best eaten when crisp. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eSummercrisp\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is hardy to Zone 2b, down to at least -45°F. However, Alaska growers in Fairbanks have not had success with these, as they’re hardy, but not quite to -45°F or colder. For that, we recommend the Russian pears.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTree Sizes and Rootstock\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese trees come in multiple different sizes and are grafted onto OHxF87, and OHxF Mix, and Pyrus ussurienses, with the OHxF hardy to roughly -45°F, and the P. ussuriensis hardy to -50F or more.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"is-empty\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"is-empty\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eImage courtesy of University of Minnesota \u003c\/em\u003e\u003ca rel=\"noopener\" class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/trees.umn.edu\/summercrisp-pear-pyrus-summercrisp\"\u003e\u003cem\u003elink\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Summercrisp Pear\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Summercrisp Pear need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Summercrisp Pear needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Summercrisp needs a different pear nearby to set fruit. It makes lots of good pollen, so it is also one of the best early pollenizers for \u003ca href=\"\/products\/giffard-pear\"\u003eBeurre Giffard\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ure-pear\"\u003eUre\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/luscious-pear\"\u003eLuscious\u003c\/a\u003e. Partners we carry include Ure Pear, Beurré Giffard Pear, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/danjou-pear\"\u003eD'Anjou Pear\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Summercrisp Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Summercrisp Pear hardy to zone 2b, which means winters down to about -45°F. Our notes have it taking -45°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Summercrisp Pear need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 500 and 1,000. Published figures for it disagree, so treat that as a middle estimate. Most listings say about 800 chill hours. It blooms early, so spring frost is a bigger risk than chill. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#summercrisp-pear\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Summercrisp Pear ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 13 to Aug 27 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Summercrisp Pear get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Summercrisp Pear onto OHxF 87 (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 14 to 19 ft tall if you never prune it. Some sizes are on Ussurian.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Summercrisp Pear good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Summercrisp Pear are fresh eating (6\/10).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Summercrisp Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Summercrisp Pear now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 2-3 ft.","offer_id":45135329755202,"sku":null,"price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Semi-Dwarf OHxF mix: 2-3 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42505021980738,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Ussurian Full Size: 2-3 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42505022079042,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45135329787970,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Semi-Dwarf OHxF mix: 3-5 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45135329820738,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Ussurian Full Size: 3-5 ft.(One Year Older)","offer_id":42505022111810,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Ussurian Full Size: 5-7 ft.(One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45135329853506,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/summercrisp-pear-on-tree.jpg?v=1789021110"},{"product_id":"blue-pearmain-apple","title":"Blue Pearmain Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Blue Pearmain Apple is an apple tree conservatively rated hardy to zone 3b (winters to -35°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 3 of 7, early-mid for an apple or crabapple), and it ripens about Oct 1 to Oct 13 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3b to 8. The b means the warmer half of zone 3 only (winters to -35°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,000 hours (800 to 1,200). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#blue-pearmain-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), late spring here. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 2 to 4. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/carroll-apple\"\u003eCarroll Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 100 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Oct 1 to Oct 13 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBud 118: semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper, about 12 to 18 ft tall unpruned. Stands on its own, few suckers. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (7\/10), cooking and roasting (7\/10), pies and baking (6\/10), sauce and butter (6\/10), winter storage (6\/10), hard cider (6\/10). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but we're still new to this one, so they lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests. 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 2-4 ft or 4-6 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"12\"\u003eIntro\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"14\" data-end=\"229\"\u003eBlue Pearmain is new to us, and all information so far is second-hand. We obtained our scionwood for bench grafting from Tim Makepeace in 2025, and we will update this description as our own trees mature in Montana.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"231\" data-end=\"242\"\u003eHistory\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"244\" data-end=\"609\"\u003eBlue Pearmain is an early-19th-century American heirloom from New England. Its own parentage isn’t documented, but it became well known in the Northeast for its distinctive appearance and dependable cropping. DNA work by the Maine Heritage Orchard identifies Blue Pearmain, crossed with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hunt-russet-apple\"\u003eHunt Russet\u003c\/a\u003e, as a parent of \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford\u003c\/a\u003e, the Paris, Maine seedling found around 1790. It was grown widely enough to make it into English collections by the late 1800s and was notable enough to be mentioned by Thoreau in his writings on apples.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"611\" data-end=\"629\"\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Flavor\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"631\" data-end=\"949\"\u003eThe fruit is large, round, and noticeably weighty, with deep purplish skin covered in a natural bluish bloom, which is the trait that gives it the name “Blue Pearmain.” The flesh is firm, slightly coarse, and aromatic, with a rich, sweet-to-subacid flavor that lends itself well to fresh eating, late-season desserts, and cider.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"951\" data-end=\"1057\"\u003eThis is a \u003cstrong data-start=\"961\" data-end=\"978\"\u003elate-ripening\u003c\/strong\u003e variety, generally coloring up and finishing in \u003cstrong data-start=\"1027\" data-end=\"1038\"\u003eOctober\u003c\/strong\u003e in cooler regions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"267\" data-end=\"310\"\u003eCold Hardiness \u0026amp; Performance in Montana\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"312\" data-end=\"690\"\u003eOn paper, Blue Pearmain is rated as a \u003cstrong data-start=\"350\" data-end=\"365\"\u003eUSDA Zone 4\u003c\/strong\u003e apple. Zone 4 covers a fairly wide range of minimum temperatures (from \u003cstrong data-start=\"438\" data-end=\"461\"\u003e–20°F down to –30°F\u003c\/strong\u003e) averaged across a 30-year climate period. Because “Zone 4” blends both 4a and 4b, the practical midpoint of that range is roughly \u003cstrong data-start=\"594\" data-end=\"603\"\u003e–25°F\u003c\/strong\u003e, but herein lies the limitation with USDA ratings. This rating describes an \u003cem data-start=\"750\" data-end=\"759\"\u003eaverage\u003c\/em\u003e annual extreme, not the absolute coldest temperature of an area. A once-in-a-generation cold event can push well below the zone rating, and the USDA map can’t predict how a specific variety will respond when that happens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"992\" data-end=\"1329\"\u003eTo be conservative, and until we observe real-world Montana performance, we expect Blue Pearmain to withstand –35°F as an absolute extreme. Its hardiness shows in its offspring: Black Oxford, a Blue Pearmain seedling, came through –38°F on Rod McIver's farm in Kalispell, Montana without any winter injury, and a parent that throws a seedling that tough is worth trusting in a cold valley. Blue Pearmain will likely do well in most of the valleys of Western Montana, but should not be planted east of the divide in Montana (with the exception of warmer microclimates of the warmer valleys near Billings).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhoto credit: “Cross section of Blue Pearmain” by the National Fruit Collection, Brogdale, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Cross_section_of_Blue_Pearmain,_National_Fruit_Collection_(acc._1957-210).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed under the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalarchives.gov.uk\/doc\/open-government-licence\/version\/2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eOpen Government Licence v2.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhoto: “Blue Pearmain” by Victuallers, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Blue_Pearmain.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 4.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Blue Pearmain Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Blue Pearmain Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Blue Pearmain Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety that blooms in groups 2 to 4. It has good pollen, so it can also pollenize other apples blooming at the same time. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Blue Pearmain Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Blue Pearmain Apple at zone 3b, which means winters down to about -35°F. It's rated USDA zone 4 on paper, but its seedling \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-oxford-apple\"\u003eBlack Oxford\u003c\/a\u003e came through -38°F in Kalispell without winter injury. We haven't wintered our own Blue Pearmain yet, so we'll update it once we have.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Blue Pearmain Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,000 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 800 and 1,200. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#blue-pearmain-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Blue Pearmain Apple ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Oct 1 to Oct 13 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Blue Pearmain Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Blue Pearmain Apple onto Bud 118 (semi-dwarf in our dry Montana soils, semi-standard on paper), which makes a tree roughly 12 to 18 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Blue Pearmain Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Blue Pearmain Apple are fresh eating (7\/10), cooking and roasting (7\/10), pies and baking (6\/10), sauce and butter (6\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on published descriptions rather than our own harvests.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Blue Pearmain Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Blue Pearmain Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 2-4 ft.","offer_id":45124848353346,"sku":null,"price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. Pruned to 5 ft for Shipping","offer_id":45124848386114,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bud 118 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft for Shipping","offer_id":42498927034434,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/blue-pearmain-apples-plate.jpg?v=1791636991"},{"product_id":"bolshaya-pear","title":"Bolshaya Pear (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bolshaya Pear is a pear tree rated hardy to zone 2 in our ratings (winters to -50°F), and not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 3 of 7, early-mid for a European pear).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 2 to 7. A bare number means the whole of zone 2, colder half included (winters to -50°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 800 hours (500 to 1,200). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#bolshaya-pear\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), mid spring here. No self-fertility data exists for Bolshaya, so plan on a partner. The other Russian pears (\u003ca href=\"\/products\/krazulya-pear\"\u003eKrazulya\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/larinskaya-pear\"\u003eLarinskaya\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/vekovaya-pear\"\u003eVekovaya\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/krasnobokaya-pear\"\u003eKrasnobokaya\u003c\/a\u003e) are the best bets for overlapping bloom. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/danjou-pear\"\u003eD'Anjou Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/stuttgarter-gaishirtle-pear\"\u003eStuttgarter Gaishirtle Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/summercrisp-pear\"\u003eSummercrisp Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ure-pear\"\u003eUre Pear\u003c\/a\u003e and 25 more. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pear-pollination-map\"\u003ePear Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePyrus ussuriensis: full size, about 20 to 30 ft tall unpruned. Ussurian pear, the hardiest pear species there is. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10), juice and sweet cider (6\/10), pies and baking (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSometimes damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 2-3 ft or 3-5 ft or 5-7 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBolshaya is one of our newest introductions. Given that we do not have experience growing it, and that it is hard to find original info on this pear in the U.S., we have translated from this \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%B6%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%86%D1%8B13.%D1%80%D1%84\/product\/grusha-bolshaya\/\"\u003eRussian site here\u003c\/a\u003e, and put it in our own words (without altering any of the information). \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigins\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBolshaya is a modern Russian cultivar originating from the \u003cstrong\u003eSouth Ural Research Institute of Fruit, Vegetable, and Potato Growing (UNIPOK)\u003c\/strong\u003e. It was bred by \u003cstrong\u003eE. E. Falkenberg, A. Mazunin, and L. I. Bolotina\u003c\/strong\u003e, selected from a cross between \u003cstrong\u003eUssurian pear seedlings and the Havisel variety\u003c\/strong\u003e. Its original breeding form was designated \u003cstrong\u003e105-4-75\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTree Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tree is vigorous, forming a \u003cstrong\u003elarge, wide-spreading crown\u003c\/strong\u003e. Productivity is described as \u003cstrong\u003econsistently high\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit Description\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFruits are \u003cstrong\u003eround-shaped\u003c\/strong\u003e, ripening to a \u003cstrong\u003elight yellow\u003c\/strong\u003e with a \u003cstrong\u003esoft, light blush\u003c\/strong\u003e. Average fruit size ranges from \u003cstrong\u003e90–115 g\u003c\/strong\u003e, with larger specimens reaching \u003cstrong\u003eup to 145 g\u003c\/strong\u003e. The variety shows \u003cstrong\u003eno susceptibility to scab\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRipening occurs in the \u003cstrong\u003efirst half of September\u003c\/strong\u003e, and fruits store for \u003cstrong\u003eapproximately three weeks\u003c\/strong\u003e under normal conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFlavor \u0026amp; Texture\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flesh is \u003cstrong\u003ewhite, very juicy\u003c\/strong\u003e, with a \u003cstrong\u003ethin, nearly imperceptible skin\u003c\/strong\u003e. When allowed to \u003cstrong\u003efully ripen on the tree\u003c\/strong\u003e, Bolshaya is considered a \u003cstrong\u003etrue dessert pear\u003c\/strong\u003e, rated \u003cstrong\u003e4.7–4.9 points\u003c\/strong\u003e (our of 5) by UNIPOK tasters. At full maturity it develops an \u003cstrong\u003eexcellent, sweet, harmonious flavor with a strong, pleasant pear aroma\u003c\/strong\u003e; granulation is \u003cstrong\u003eminimal to nonexistent\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eImportant maturity note:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIf harvested at \"removable maturity\"—\u003cem\u003eearly yellowing but not fully ripe\u003c\/em\u003e—the flavor is described as \u003cstrong\u003emediocre\u003c\/strong\u003e, rated only \u003cstrong\u003e3.7–4.2\u003c\/strong\u003e due to a persistent \u003cstrong\u003etart firmness\u003c\/strong\u003e that does not dissipate in storage. Maximum quality is achieved \u003cstrong\u003eonly when left to ripen completely on the tree\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWater Requirements\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBolshaya responds noticeably to \u003cstrong\u003eadequate irrigation\u003c\/strong\u003e. Under moisture stress, the fruits become \u003cstrong\u003edry\u003c\/strong\u003e and lose their characteristic juiciness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverall Assessment\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to evaluations from UNIPOK, Bolshaya holds \u003cstrong\u003ethe highest flavor rating of any pear variety ever bred in the Southern Urals\u003c\/strong\u003e, provided it is allowed to ripen fully on the tree. Its combination of winter hardiness, productivity, dessert quality, and aromatic character make it one of the standout pears of its breeding region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe have data in Montana on how Bolshaya has done here (see below). We'll first list what the Russian site says and then explain how the tree has done on a site in Bozeman.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRussian website\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWinter hardiness is considered quite high—higher than Krasulya and Raduzhnaya (Rainbow), but slightly below Uralochka and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/krasnobokaya-pear\"\u003eKrasnobokaya\u003c\/a\u003e—placing it firmly among the reliable cold-climate pears of the Southern Urals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing in Montana\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe obtained cuttings from Les McCartney (Bozeman, MT) in spring 2025, and these trees originate from those grafts and newer ones (see grades). Les grows Bolshaya on the valley floor, where his tree has withstood temperatures near –45°F without any winter injury. Given both its Russian breeding background and its performance in Montana, Bolshaya can confidently be considered a solid Zone 2 pear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Bolshaya Pear\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Bolshaya Pear need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Bolshaya Pear needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. No self-fertility data exists for Bolshaya, so plan on a partner. The other Russian pears (\u003ca href=\"\/products\/krazulya-pear\"\u003eKrazulya\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/larinskaya-pear\"\u003eLarinskaya\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/vekovaya-pear\"\u003eVekovaya\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/krasnobokaya-pear\"\u003eKrasnobokaya\u003c\/a\u003e) are the best bets for overlapping bloom. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/danjou-pear\"\u003eD'Anjou Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/stuttgarter-gaishirtle-pear\"\u003eStuttgarter Gaishirtle Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/summercrisp-pear\"\u003eSummercrisp Pear\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Bolshaya Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Bolshaya Pear hardy to zone 2, which means winters down to about -50°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Bolshaya Pear need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 500 and 1,200. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#bolshaya-pear\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Bolshaya Pear get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Bolshaya Pear onto Pyrus ussuriensis (full size), which makes a tree roughly 20 to 30 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Bolshaya Pear good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Bolshaya Pear are fresh eating (8\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10), juice and sweet cider (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Bolshaya Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Bolshaya Pear now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Bolshaya Pear ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 2-3 ft or 3-5 ft or 5-7 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Pyrus ussuriensis Full Size: 2-3 ft.","offer_id":45124871225410,"sku":null,"price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pyrus ussuriensis Full Size: 2-3 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45124871258178,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pyrus ussuriensis Full Size: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45124871290946,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pyrus ussuriensis Full Size: 3-5 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45124871323714,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pyrus ussuriensis Full Size: 5-7 ft.","offer_id":45124871356482,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/bolshaya-pear-fruit-cut.webp?v=1790181391"},{"product_id":"waterville-pear","title":"Waterville Pear (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Waterville Pear is a pear tree rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 4 of 7, mid for a European pear), and it ripens about Sep 15 to Sep 27 in Missoula (picked and dated at our place in Missoula).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 800 hours (600 to 1,100). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#waterville-pear\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), mid spring here. Waterville is not self-fertile. Bartlett, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flemish-beauty-pear\"\u003eFlemish Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e, Karl's Favorite or Seckel make good partners, but do not rely on Bartlett and Seckel to pollenize each other. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/w0cjbu6yrtjetw48n6ga9edg4vgxoe\"\u003eFlemish Beauty Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seckel-pear\"\u003eSeckel Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/karls-favorite-pear\"\u003eKarl's Favorite Pear\u003c\/a\u003e and 29 more. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pear-pollination-map\"\u003ePear Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Sep 15 to Sep 27 in Missoula (picked and dated off our own trees). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOHxF 87: semi-dwarf, about 14 to 19 ft tall unpruned. The most precocious OHxF stock. Pyrus communis: full size, about 18 to 25 ft tall unpruned. European pear seedling. Plant about 20 ft apart. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSometimes damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 2-4 ft or 4-6 ft or 3-5 ft or 5-7 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWaterville is a fairly cold-climated adapted European pear (\u003cem\u003ePyrus communis\u003c\/em\u003e) originally associated with Waterville, Vermont, known for producing large, very juicy fruit with notably sweet flavor and a bit of classic “European pear” texture (slightly coarse).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWaterville is a\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003elocal Vermont pear—discovered\/rediscovered in Waterville, VT and then introduced more widely through Elmore Roots Nursery. Parentage is not documented in the sources describing the variety.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFruit size \u0026amp; texture:\u003c\/strong\u003e Large; very juicy; sweet; often described as slightly coarse-textured (not uncommon in hardy dessert pears).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlavor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sweet, good dessert quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeason:\u003c\/strong\u003e The pears come on mid-late September in the Bitterroot Valley, MT.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUses:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fresh eating, but also noted as good in tarts, although we never tried Waterville in a tart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWaterville is very vigorous and benefits from training\/spreading limbs early rather than heavy pruning right out of the gate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur 2027 Waterville pears are grafted onto standard, Pyrus communis rootstock (these are actually one year older as they were grafted in 2025 and grew out for two years), are full vigor, and should be spaced about 20 ft. apart. We also have Waterville pears that we bench grafted onto OHxF 87 semi-dwarf (75% standard) in Spring 2026. OHxF will be less vigorous than P. communis and can be planted 15 ft. apart. Can be spaced closer for a more rigorous pruning regiment or further apart in a less managed situation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike most pears, Waterville is not self-fertile and needs a pollenzer, i.e. another variety for pollination.Examples of what we offer that will serve as a pollination partner include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flemish-beauty-pear\"\u003eFlemish Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/karls-favorite-pear\"\u003eKarl's Favorite\u003c\/a\u003e, Johantorp, and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seckel-pear\"\u003eSeckel\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn our experience in Montana, Waterville pear has been surviving in a fairly cold spot in the Bitterroot—particularly Stevensville, MT—and the tree experienced -38°F on 1\/13\/24 without showing any signs of winter injury. It very well may survive colder than -40°F, but we simply do not have that data yet. As such, we are listing Waterville as a solid Zone 3a pear based on our experience in Montana.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Waterville Pear\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Waterville Pear need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Waterville Pear needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Waterville is not self-fertile. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flemish-beauty-pear\"\u003eFlemish Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/karls-favorite-pear\"\u003eKarl's Favorite\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seckel-pear\"\u003eSeckel\u003c\/a\u003e make good partners, but do not rely on Bartlett and Seckel to pollenize each other. Partners we carry include Bartlett Pear, Flemish Beauty Pear, Seckel Pear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Waterville Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Waterville Pear hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Waterville Pear need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 600 and 1,100. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#waterville-pear\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Waterville Pear ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 15 to Sep 27 in Missoula, Montana (picked and dated off our own trees). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Waterville Pear get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Waterville Pear onto OHxF 87 (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 14 to 19 ft tall if you never prune it. Some sizes are on Pyrus communis. Plant about 20 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Waterville Pear good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Waterville Pear are fresh eating (8\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Waterville Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Waterville Pear now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 2-4 ft.","offer_id":45144067506242,"sku":null,"price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft.","offer_id":45144067539010,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pyrus communis Full Size: 3-5 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42511158607938,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pyrus communis Full Size: 5-7 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45144067571778,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/waterville-pear-in-hand.jpg?v=1789021309"},{"product_id":"ubileen-pear","title":"Ubileen Pear (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ubileen Pear is a pear tree rated hardy to zone 4 in our ratings (winters to -30°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 4 of 7, mid for a European pear), and it ripens about Aug 8 to Aug 20 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 4 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 4, colder half included (winters to -30°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 750 hours (600 to 1,000). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#ubileen-pear\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), mid spring here. Ubileen is not a solo pear, so plant a second variety such as Bartlett, Seckel, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flemish-beauty-pear\"\u003eFlemish Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e or Summercrisp. Skip \u003ca href=\"\/products\/luscious-pear\"\u003eLuscious\u003c\/a\u003e as its partner, because Luscious pollen is sterile. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/w0cjbu6yrtjetw48n6ga9edg4vgxoe\"\u003eFlemish Beauty Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seckel-pear\"\u003eSeckel Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/summercrisp-pear\"\u003eSummercrisp Pear\u003c\/a\u003e and 29 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pear-pollination-map\"\u003ePear Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Aug 8 to Aug 20 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOHxF 87: semi-dwarf, about 14 to 19 ft tall unpruned. The most precocious OHxF stock. OHxF 97: full size, about 18 to 25 ft tall unpruned. Vigorous, hardy and well anchored. Plant 16 to 20 ft apart. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSometimes damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 2-3 ft or 3-4 ft or 4-6 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUbileen is an exceptionally early-season European pear with large, high-quality fruit and a reputation for standout flavor when harvested at the right stage and ripened off the tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUbileen is commonly described in North American nursery trade as a Bulgarian pear, and multiple sources consistently tie it to Bulgarian breeding and introduction work. According to scionwood notes reproduced in a discussion titled \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.houzz.com\/discussions\/1435318\/scionwood-from-ars-geneva\"\u003e“Scionwood from ARS Geneva”\u003c\/a\u003e, the cultivar is listed as “Ubileen Gift” (PI 392323), originating from the Institute for Fruit Growing, Kyustendil, Bulgaria, bred by Vasil Georgiev in 1957, introduced into the U.S. in 1974, and released in 1984, with parentage given as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/clapps-favorite-pear\"\u003eClapp's Favorite\u003c\/a\u003e × Klementinka. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUbileen also appears in USDA Plant Introduction records by name, including in Plant Inventory No. 183 (covering material introduced in 1975) where ‘Ubileen’ is listed among accessions introduced in that period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUbileen fruit is typically large to very large, with yellow skin that can develop a red blush in sun. When picked mature-green and ripened off the tree, it tends to develop a buttery, fine texture with a sweet, aromatic flavor. Because it’s an early pear, it’s best treated like a “watch closely and pick on time” variety. If you let it fully soften on the tree, quality can drop fast. It’s excellent for fresh eating, and it also does well sliced and dried or turned into early-season pear sauce.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUbileen grows with a fairly vigorous, upright-to-spreading habit. Since we offer it on OHxF 97, you should plan on a near-standard pear tree unless you’re committing to regular pruning. In a home orchard, a practical spacing is often about 16–20 feet between trees if you want a full canopy with minimal training, or closer to 12–16 feet if you’ll prune annually to keep canopies narrower and improve light and airflow. Good light exposure will improve fruit finish and help keep the tree more productive and manageable over time. The other rootstock we have Ubileen on is OHxF 87, which is about 75% the size of a full vigor seedling pear tree. Same idea with spacing (12-16 ft.) although one could go even tighter for a higher density planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUbileen is not a “solo pear” and will need a partner to set fruit. The varieties of other pears we offer that will serve as pollen donors for Ubileen include the following: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/red-sensation-bartlett-pear\"\u003eRed Sensation Bartlett\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/giffard-pear\"\u003eBeurré Giffard\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/summercrisp-pear\"\u003eSummercrisp\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seckel-pear\"\u003eSeckel\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/luscious-pear\"\u003eLuscious\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flemish-beauty-pear\"\u003eFlemish Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/savignac-pear\"\u003eSavignac\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUbileen is an early pear with excellent fruit quality, but it should not be treated like a bulletproof zone-2 Russian pear. Bob Purvis’ notes are especially useful here because he separates “tree hardiness” from “flower bud hardiness.” His take is that Ubileen is a standout for flavor in the Corvallis collection, but that its flower buds are not hardy below about -25°F, meaning it can be a great pear where the tree survives, yet still be crop-limited by brutal winter bud-kill or by spring frost in marginal sites. He lists it as a zone 4, as do other sources, and should not be planted in areas that can see sub-30°F temps. For Montana, this would mean that Ubileen could work in the warmer parts of Missoula such as in town\/up on a bench (certainly not where the frost settles by the river\/near Orchard Homes\/Kelly's Island, etc. It would work around Flathead Lake and in some areas up on benches\/out of the frost in the Bitterroot, Kalispell, Plains (including good microclimates from Dixon to Noxon). Shouldn't be planted anywhere in MT other than these places.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Ubileen Pear\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Ubileen Pear need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Ubileen Pear needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Ubileen is not a solo pear, so plant a second variety such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seckel-pear\"\u003eSeckel\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flemish-beauty-pear\"\u003eFlemish Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/summercrisp-pear\"\u003eSummercrisp\u003c\/a\u003e. Skip \u003ca href=\"\/products\/luscious-pear\"\u003eLuscious\u003c\/a\u003e as its partner, because Luscious pollen is sterile. Partners we carry include Bartlett Pear, Flemish Beauty Pear, Seckel Pear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Ubileen Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Ubileen Pear hardy to zone 4, which means winters down to about -30°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Ubileen Pear need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 750 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 600 and 1,000. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#ubileen-pear\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Ubileen Pear ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 8 to Aug 20 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Ubileen Pear get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Ubileen Pear onto OHxF 87 (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 14 to 19 ft tall if you never prune it. Some sizes are on OHxF 97. Plant 16 to 20 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Ubileen Pear good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Ubileen Pear are fresh eating (8\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Ubileen Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Ubileen Pear now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 2-3 ft.","offer_id":42508235374658,"sku":null,"price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 3-4 ft.","offer_id":42508235440194,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"OHxF 97 Full Size: 3-4 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45142710222914,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft.","offer_id":45142710255682,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"OHxF 97 Full Size: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42508235341890,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/ubileen-pear-on-tree.jpg?v=1789021269"},{"product_id":"taylor-apple-pear","title":"Taylor Apple Pear (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Taylor Apple Pear is a pear tree rated hardy to zone 2b in our ratings (winters to -45°F), and partially self-fertile, so a second variety nearby makes crops more dependable (bloom group 4 of 7, mid for a pear).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 2b to 7. The b means the warmer half of zone 2 only (winters to -45°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 700 hours (400 to 1,100). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#taylor-apple-pear\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePartially Self-Fertile. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), mid spring here. Taylor may set a light crop alone, but plan on a partner for real crops. Choose an early-blooming pear such as Krazulya, Larinskaya or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/vekovaya-pear\"\u003eVekovaya\u003c\/a\u003e, since Asian pears usually bloom ahead of most European pears. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/krazulya-pear\"\u003eKrazulya Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/larinskaya-pear\"\u003eLarinskaya Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bolshaya-pear\"\u003eBolshaya Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/krasnobokaya-pear\"\u003eKrasnobokaya Pear\u003c\/a\u003e and 8 more. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pear-pollination-map\"\u003ePear Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUssurian: full size, about 20 to 30 ft tall unpruned. The hardiest pear species there is. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter storage (9\/10), fresh eating (6\/10), drying (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSometimes damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 2-4 ft or 3-5 ft or 3-4 ft or 4-6 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTaylor Apple Pear is an Asian pear selected for extreme cold tolerance and Taylor stands out as one of the hardiest, if not the hardiest Asian pear that we know of. While the flavor is apparently very good, we have not yet tasted this variety firsthand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTaylor Apple Pear circulates as a named cultivar in the cold-climate fruit nursery trade and has been marketed as an “Asian pear” or “apple pear” due to its round shape and crunchy texture. Some nurseries describe it as an introduction associated with Green Barn Nursery, but we couldn't find any credible published breeding record that documents a specific cross or named parents. For that reason, it is most accurate to treat Taylor Apple Pear as a named selection with an unpublished pedigree rather than a formally documented breeding-program cross.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFruit are commonly described as round, green to yellow-green with a light blush, ripening in the late season (often late September into October depending on climate). The defining characteristic is texture: firm, crisp, and juicy. It is best used fresh—sliced and chilled—and it also holds up well for fresh culinary uses where you want crunch rather than softening.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFruits are more compact than many European pear trees, with heavy spring bloom followed by firm, waxy-skinned fruit. As with pears generally, early training and annual pruning for structure, light, and airflow are key to keeping the canopy productive and reducing disease pressure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe offer Taylor Apple Pear on Ussurian pear full-size rootstock. A practical spacing range for this would be roughly 18 ft. depending on site, vigor, and how intensively you plan to prune for size control. If you want a large, low-maintenance tree, lean wider; if you plan regular pruning to keep the canopy tighter, the lower end of that range can work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTaylor Apple Pear is commonly described as at least partially self-fertile, but pears typically set heavier and more consistently with cross-pollination, so the safest recommendation is to plant a second pear nearby that overlaps bloom at your site. Any of our Russian pears would work for pollination, including \u003ca href=\"\/products\/krazulya-pear\"\u003eKrazulya\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/larinskaya-pear\"\u003eLarinskaya\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/vekovaya-pear\"\u003eVekovaya\u003c\/a\u003e, Kraznobokaya, and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bolshaya-pear\"\u003eBolshaya\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTaylor Apple Pear is one of the most cold-hardy Asian-pear-type cultivars in circulation, with some sellers claiming -40°F-class hardiness. In our own Montana network, we obtained scionwood from Les McCartney, who has grown this successfully in Bozeman, Montana, and whose his site reached -45°F, with minimal to no winter injury for this variety. Based on that real-world Montana experience, we consider Taylor Apple Pear at least hardy to -45°F in the right conditions, while noting that duration of cold, acclimation timing, wind exposure, and site microclimate strongly influence winter injury outcomes. We’re listing it as zone 2b hardy (-45°F), best in protected sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImage courtesy of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.whiffletreefarmandnursery.ca\/?srsltid=AfmBOoqYvQ5NfaQy0wrTxdopZAfs-fvHRR-YydsUsGM8V0XmnKQ8hGej\"\u003eWhiffle Tree Nursery\u003c\/a\u003e in Ontario Canada\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Taylor Apple Pear\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Taylor Apple Pear need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt helps. Taylor Apple Pear is partially self-fertile, so it can set some fruit alone, but a second variety nearby makes crops more dependable. Taylor may set a light crop alone, but plan on a partner for real crops. Choose an early-blooming pear such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/krazulya-pear\"\u003eKrazulya\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/larinskaya-pear\"\u003eLarinskaya\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/vekovaya-pear\"\u003eVekovaya\u003c\/a\u003e, since Asian pears usually bloom ahead of most European pears. Partners we carry include Krazulya Pear, Larinskaya Pear, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bolshaya-pear\"\u003eBolshaya Pear\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Taylor Apple Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Taylor Apple Pear hardy to zone 2b, which means winters down to about -45°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Taylor Apple Pear need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 700 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 400 and 1,100. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#taylor-apple-pear\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Taylor Apple Pear get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Taylor Apple Pear onto Ussurian (full size), which makes a tree roughly 20 to 30 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Taylor Apple Pear good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Taylor Apple Pear are winter storage (9\/10), fresh eating (6\/10), drying (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Taylor Apple Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Taylor Apple Pear now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Taylor Apple Pear ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 2-4 ft or 3-5 ft or 3-4 ft or 4-6 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Ussurian Pear Full Size: 2-4 ft.","offer_id":42505032761410,"sku":null,"price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Ussurian Pear Full Size: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45135421243458,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Ussurian Pear Full Size: 3-4 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45135421276226,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Ussurian Pear Full Size: 4-6 ft.","offer_id":45135421308994,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Ussurian Pear Full Size: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45135421341762,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Ussurian Pear Full Size: 5-7 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45135421374530,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/taylor-apple-pear-on-tree.png?v=1789021268"},{"product_id":"monongahela-crabapple-seedling","title":"Monongahela Crabapple Seedling (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Monongahela Crabapple Seedling is a crabapple tree we've estimated at zone 3b (winters to -35°F), and not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 4 of 7, mid for an apple or crabapple).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3b to 8. The b means the warmer half of zone 3 only (winters to -35°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 700 hours (400 to 1,000). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#monongahela-crabapple-seedling\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), late spring here. Not self-fertile. Every seedling is a different tree, so plant a different named apple or crabapple nearby that blooms in groups 3 to 5 on our chart to be sure of a good pollenizer. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/burgundy-apple\"\u003eBurgundy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 103 more. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSpacing\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant 18 to 20 ft apart.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFeeding wildlife (7\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10), pollenizing other trees (6\/10). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but we're still new to these, so they lean on what's typical for crabapples rather than our own harvests. 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 1-3 ft or 3-5 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThese are seedlings, so every tree is a little different, and we don't have long-term data from our own trees yet. Everything below is secondhand for now.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese are crabapple seedlings. Crabapples are popular pollenizers for apple orchards, and the fruit is good for jelly and for feeding birds and other wildlife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMonongahela isn't a named variety you'll find in the pomology books or nursery catalogs we checked, so we can't point you to a published parent. Like any apple or crabapple, these don't come true from seed, so each seedling is its own new tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince every seedling is different, fruit size, color and flavor will vary from tree to tree. University of Alaska Fairbanks Extension notes that the juice and puree of small crabs \"can be added to other wild fruit jams or jellies,\" and that the fruit can also be \"left on the trees as food for birds and other wildlife.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit and Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese are seedlings on their own roots, so they'll grow into full size trees. Plan on 18 to 20 feet between them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCrabapples need a pollenizer themselves, and they make good ones for apples. Washington State University's tree fruit program notes that flowering crabapples \"have become popular pollen donors because they generally have longer bloom times than apples and are easily cared for.\" We've estimated these as mid-season bloomers, but since they're seedlings, bloom time will vary a bit from tree to tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe've listed these at zone 3b (-35F) for now, which is an estimate. Seedlings vary, so some will be hardier than others, and we'll update this as our own trees go through a few winters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Monongahela Crabapple Seedling\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Monongahela Crabapple Seedling need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Monongahela Crabapple Seedling needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Every seedling is a different tree, so plant a different named apple or crabapple nearby that blooms in groups 3 to 5 on our chart to be sure of a good pollenizer. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Monongahela Crabapple Seedling?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Monongahela Crabapple Seedling at zone 3b for now, which means winters down to about -35°F. That's an estimate. Seedlings vary, so some will be hardier than others, and we'll update it as our own trees go through a few winters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Monongahela Crabapple Seedling need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 700 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 400 and 1,000. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Unknown parentage and every seedling differs, so treat this chill figure as a rough guess, not a tested number. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#monongahela-crabapple-seedling\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Monongahela Crabapple Seedling good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Monongahela Crabapple Seedling are feeding wildlife (7\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10), pollenizing other trees (6\/10). Since every seedling is different and we're still new to these, those scores reflect what's typical for crabapples.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Monongahela Crabapple Seedling?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Monongahela Crabapple Seedling with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Monongahela Crabapple Seedling ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 1-3 ft or 3-5 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"1-3 ft.","offer_id":42500888428610,"sku":null,"price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"3-5 ft.","offer_id":42500888494146,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/monongahela-crabapple-on-tree.jpg?v=1789020605"},{"product_id":"lubsk-queen-apple","title":"Lubsk Queen Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lubsk Queen Apple is an apple tree we've conservatively estimated at zone 4 (winters to -30°F), and not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 3 of 7, early-mid for an apple or crabapple).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 4 to 7. A bare number means the whole of zone 4, colder half included (winters to -30°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,000 hours (800 to 1,200). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#lubsk-queen-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), late spring here. Not self-fertile. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety nearby that blooms at about the same time (bloom groups 2 to 4 on our chart). Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blue-pearmain-apple\"\u003eBlue Pearmain Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 100 more. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDolgo: full size, about 20 to 30 ft tall unpruned. Very hardy and well anchored. Plant 18 to 20 ft apart. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (6\/10), pies and baking (6\/10), sauce and butter (6\/10). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but we're still new to this one, so they lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests. 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 2-4 ft or 4-6 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is our first year with Lubsk Queen, so everything here is secondhand until we have fruited it and watched it through a few winters. We will update it as we learn.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLubsk Queen is one of the prettiest apples anybody grows. It is a Russian variety, sometimes listed as Lubskoe, and the fruit is close to white with a clean crimson blush over it. People have been growing it for looks as much as for eating for a long time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is an old Russian apple that came west with the wave of Russian material brought into North America in the late 1800s, the same general push that gave us Antonovka, Duchess of Oldenburg and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/yellow-transparent\"\u003eYellow Transparent\u003c\/a\u003e. Those imports are the reason apple growing works at all in the northern plains, and Lubsk Queen has stayed around mostly on the strength of how it looks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedium sized, round to slightly flattened, with a smooth waxy skin that is nearly translucent white under a bright red flush. The flesh is white, sometimes stained faintly pink near the skin, and it is tender and juicy with a mild, lightly tart flavor. This is an early to mid-season apple and it does not keep, so plan on eating it fresh off the tree or turning it straight into sauce and pies. It is not a storage apple and we would not pretend otherwise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit and Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOurs are grafted on \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e full size rootstock, so give it room. Plan on 18 to 20 feet between trees, or tighter if you are committed to pruning it every year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLubsk Queen needs a pollenizer. It blooms early to mid, so pair it with something in that window. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/chestnut-crabapple\"\u003eChestnut\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/centennial-apple-crab\"\u003eCentennial\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/norland-apple\"\u003eNorland\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/parkland-apple\"\u003eParkland\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/crimson-beauty-apple\"\u003eCrimson Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e and Dolgo all overlap well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe have it listed at zone 4 for now. The Russian background suggests it may well do better than that, but we would rather under-promise than have you lose a tree. Once we have our own winter data we will revise it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Lubsk Queen itself. Photos of Lubsk Queen are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo: “Discovery apples” by Bob Balmer, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Discovery_apples.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY 2.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Lubsk Queen Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Lubsk Queen Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Lubsk Queen Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety nearby that blooms at about the same time (bloom groups 2 to 4 on our chart). Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hewes-virginia-crabapple\"\u003eHewe's Virginia Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hyslop-crabapple\"\u003eHyslop Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wickson-crabapple\"\u003eWickson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Lubsk Queen Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Lubsk Queen Apple at zone 4 for now, which means winters down to about -30°F. Its Russian background suggests it may do better than that, but we'd rather under-promise until our own trees have been through a few winters. We'll revise it once we have that data.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Lubsk Queen Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,000 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 800 and 1,200. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#lubsk-queen-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Lubsk Queen Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Lubsk Queen Apple onto \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e (full size), which makes a tree roughly 20 to 30 ft tall if you never prune it. Plant 18 to 20 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Lubsk Queen Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Lubsk Queen Apple are fresh eating (6\/10), pies and baking (6\/10), sauce and butter (6\/10). Since we haven't fruited it yet, those scores lean on published descriptions rather than our own harvests.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Lubsk Queen Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Lubsk Queen Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Lubsk Queen Apple ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 2-4 ft or 4-6 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 2-4 ft.","offer_id":45156147462210,"sku":null,"price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 4-6 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45156147494978,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/pale-apples-crimson-blush-on-branch.jpg?v=1791616086"},{"product_id":"redstar-apple","title":"Redstar Apple (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Redstar Apple is an apple tree rated hardy to zone 2b from growers' reports in Fairbanks and Bozeman (winters to -45°F), and not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 4 of 7, mid for an apple or crabapple).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 2b to 7. The b means the warmer half of zone 2 only (winters to -45°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,000 hours (800 to 1,200). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#redstar-apple\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), late spring here. Not self-fertile. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety nearby that blooms at about the same time (bloom groups 3 to 5 on our chart). Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/burgundy-apple\"\u003eBurgundy Apple\u003c\/a\u003e and 103 more. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/apple-pollination-map\"\u003eApple Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDolgo: full size, about 20 to 30 ft tall unpruned. Very hardy and well anchored. Plant 18 to 20 ft apart. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (7\/10). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but we're still new to this one, so they lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests. 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 2-4 ft or 4-6 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is our first year growing Redstar, so everything below is secondhand until we get more long-term data from our own mother trees.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRedstar is a big, sweet, crisp red eating apple that has proven itself in Fairbanks, Alaska. Steve Masterman at Alaska Fruit Trees calls it \"a real joy to eat.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNobody knows exactly where Redstar came from. It was named by Clair Lammers of Fairbanks, and Steve points out that it may well be a known variety under another name somewhere else. In Fairbanks, it's Redstar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Alaska Fruit Trees, the fruit is large (up to 3½ inches), red, juicy, sweet and crisp, \"an excellent eating apple.\" It ripens in late August in their Fairbanks orchard. We don't know yet when it'll ripen here, and we don't have storage notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit and Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOurs are grafted on \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e full size rootstock, so give it room. Plan on 18 to 20 feet between trees, or tighter if you're committed to pruning every year. Be patient with it. Steve's tree was seven years old before it set fruit. Once it gets going, he says it's a steady annual bearer that sets heavily and needs thinning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRedstar needs a pollenizer. We're estimating it blooms mid-season, so pair it with something hardy in that window, like \u003ca href=\"\/products\/haralson-apple\"\u003eHaralson\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kerr-crab\"\u003eKerr\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trailman-crab\"\u003eTrailman\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/goodland-apple\"\u003eGoodland\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/frostbite-apple\"\u003eFrostbite\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson crab\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSteve reports no tip dieback down to -40F. It did take significant dieback in one particularly harsh spring (2013) that killed a quarter of the trees in his orchard, but it came back and is fruiting again. He lists it with his zone 3 or colder apples and figures it's probably a bit hardier than that, since his orchard sits right on the zone 2\/3 line. The documented number is -40F without injury. Les McCartney has also grown Redstar in Bozeman, MT. We'll update this once we have our own winter data.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Redstar itself. Photos of Redstar are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo: “Fresh ripe apples on a tree (54015357813)” by AS Photography from Poland, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Fresh_ripe_apples_on_a_tree_(54015357813).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY 4.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Redstar Apple\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Redstar Apple need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Redstar Apple needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different apple or crabapple variety nearby that blooms at about the same time (bloom groups 3 to 5 on our chart). Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/otterson-apple\"\u003eOtterson Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trail-crabapple\"\u003eTrail Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexander-apple\"\u003eAlexander Apple\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Redstar Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Redstar Apple at zone 2b, which means winters down to about -45°F. That comes from Steve Masterman in Fairbanks, who's seen no tip dieback down to -40°F and figures it's a bit hardier than zone 3. We haven't wintered our own trees yet, so we'll update it once we have.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Redstar Apple need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,000 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 800 and 1,200. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#redstar-apple\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Redstar Apple get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Redstar Apple onto \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dolgo-crabapple-bundle-of-2\"\u003eDolgo\u003c\/a\u003e (full size), which makes a tree roughly 20 to 30 ft tall if you never prune it. Plant 18 to 20 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Redstar Apple good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Redstar Apple are fresh eating (7\/10). Since we're still new to it, that score leans on Alaska Fruit Trees' description rather than our own harvests.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Redstar Apple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Redstar Apple with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Redstar Apple ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 2-4 ft or 4-6 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 2-4 ft.","offer_id":45156165713986,"sku":null,"price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dolgo Full Size: 4-6 ft.","offer_id":45156165746754,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/large-red-apples-on-tree.jpg?v=1791615896"},{"product_id":"concorde-pear","title":"Concorde Pear (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Concorde Pear is a pear tree rated hardy to zone 4 from other growers' reports (winters to -30°F), and self-fertile, so one tree can crop (bloom group 5 of 7, mid-late for a European pear).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 4 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 4, colder half included (winters to -30°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 750 hours (600 to 950). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#concorde-pear\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf-Fertile. Bloom group 5 of 7 (mid-late), mid spring here. Concorde is about as self-fertile as pears get and will usually crop alone. A partner that blooms with it, such as Clapp's Favorite, can still add to the crop. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/clapps-favorite-pear\"\u003eClapp's Favorite Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/clara-frijs-pear\"\u003eClara Frijs Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cold-snap-pear\"\u003eCold Snap® Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/golden-russett-bosc\"\u003eGolden Russet Bosc Pear\u003c\/a\u003e and 17 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pear-pollination-map\"\u003ePear Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOHxF 87: semi-dwarf, about 14 to 19 ft tall unpruned. The most precocious OHxF stock. Plant about 15 ft apart. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCooking and roasting (9\/10), fresh eating (8\/10), winter storage (8\/10), pies and baking (8\/10), salads and slicing (6\/10), perry (6\/10). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but we're still new to this one, so they lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests. 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSometimes damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 2-4 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is our first year growing Concorde, so everything below is secondhand until we get more long-term data from our own mother trees.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConcorde is an English pear from a cross of Conference and Comice. It's big, long-necked and sweet, and it's one of the better keepers among the pears we carry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBob Purvis describes it as \"a British cross of Conference x Comice,\" and it was introduced in England in the 1980s. The USDA's pear genebank in Corvallis, Oregon holds it and notes that it has fruited in Anchorage, Alaska.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Purvis, \"fruits are large with long necks, excellent sweet flavor, and keep till April in cold storage.\" He also notes the skin is easily damaged in long-distance shipping, which matters more to commercial growers than to backyard ones. It's mainly a fresh-eating pear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit and Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOurs are on OHxF 87 semi-dwarf rootstock, which runs about 75% the size of a full size pear. Plan on about 15 feet between trees, 12 feet if you're committed to pruning, or up to 18 feet for more room. Purvis calls the tree upright to spreading, moderate in vigor, precocious, \"grower friendly,\" and says it spurs up well. On fire blight the sources disagree. Purvis has seen some resistance, while other references list it as susceptible, so don't count on it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConcorde is generally described as self-fertile and will usually crop alone, but we haven't confirmed it ourselves yet, so another pear that blooms with it is cheap insurance for a bigger crop. It blooms mid to mid-late, and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/clapps-favorite-pear\"\u003eClapp's Favorite\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/clara-frijs-pear\"\u003eClara Frijs\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cold-snap-pear\"\u003eCold Snap\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/golden-russett-bosc\"\u003eGolden Russet Bosc\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/harrow-sweet-pear\"\u003eHarrow Sweet\u003c\/a\u003e all overlap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePurvis reports Concorde \"fully winter-hardy at -34F in SW Minnesota,\" and the USDA genebank records it fruiting in Anchorage. We've listed it at zone 4.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhoto credit: USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System, National Clonal Germplasm Repository, Corvallis, Oregon, accession \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/npgsweb.ars-grin.gov\/gringlobal\/accessiondetail?id=1495612\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003ePI 665740\u003c\/a\u003e. Public domain (U.S. government work).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Concorde Pear\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Concorde Pear need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Concorde Pear is self-fertile, so a single tree can usually set fruit. A partner that blooms with it, such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/clapps-favorite-pear\"\u003eClapp's Favorite\u003c\/a\u003e, can still add to the crop. Partners we carry include Clapp's Favorite Pear, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/clara-frijs-pear\"\u003eClara Frijs Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cold-snap-pear\"\u003eCold Snap\u003c\/a\u003e® Pear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Concorde Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Concorde Pear at zone 4, which means winters down to about -30°F. That comes from Bob Purvis, who reports it fully winter-hardy at -34°F in southwest Minnesota, and its record in Anchorage, not from our own winters yet. We'll update it once we've wintered our own trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Concorde Pear need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 750 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 600 and 950. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#concorde-pear\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Concorde Pear get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Concorde Pear onto OHxF 87 (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 14 to 19 ft tall if you never prune it. Plant about 15 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Concorde Pear good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Concorde Pear are cooking and roasting (9\/10), fresh eating (8\/10), winter storage (8\/10), pies and baking (8\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests. Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Concorde Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Concorde Pear now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Concorde Pear ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 2-4 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 2-4 ft.","offer_id":45178208813122,"sku":null,"price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/concorde-pear-on-tree.jpg?v=1790130543"},{"product_id":"dana-hovey-pear","title":"Dana Hovey Pear (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dana Hovey Pear is a pear tree rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 4 of 7, mid for a European pear), and it ripens about Sep 25 to Oct 7 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 650 hours (500 to 900). Seedlings vary, so this is based on the parent tree. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#dana-hovey-pear\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), mid spring here. No self-fertility data exists for Dana Hovey, and most European pears need a partner, so plant another pear. It blooms with Bartlett and Seckel. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/w0cjbu6yrtjetw48n6ga9edg4vgxoe\"\u003eFlemish Beauty Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeysweet-pear\"\u003eHoneysweet Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seckel-pear\"\u003eSeckel Pear\u003c\/a\u003e and 29 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pear-pollination-map\"\u003ePear Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Sep 25 to Oct 7 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOHxF 87: semi-dwarf, about 14 to 19 ft tall unpruned. The most precocious OHxF stock. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (9\/10), winter storage (7\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSometimes damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 2-3 ft or 3-5 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis is an incredible pear. One of the best pears I have tried.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Winter Seckel\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDana Hovey is a small, russeted, golden pear that's thought to be a seedling of \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seckel-pear\"\u003eSeckel\u003c\/a\u003e. It's sometimes called the Winter Seckel, because it eats a lot like Seckel but keeps far longer. Plenty of people who grow both like it better.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHistory\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt came out of Roxbury, Massachusetts, around 1854. Francis Dana, a 19th century fruit enthusiast, raised it and named it Dana's Hovey in honor of C.M. Hovey, the Boston nurseryman who wrote The Fruits of America. Charles Downing, one of the great American pomologists, later wrote that if he were planting Seckel for market, he'd take Dana's Hovey instead, because it was larger and richer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSize: small and squat, like Seckel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSkin: golden yellow with russet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFlesh: buttery and very juicy, intensely sweet and aromatic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStorage: keeps much longer than Seckel and holds up well after ripening\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen to Eat It\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePick it in early October and put it away for a few weeks before you eat it, like any winter pear. It's still great eating in December, and stored well it can go into February. A pear this good in the middle of winter is the whole reason to grow it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDana Hovey is new for us, so we'll add our own notes once our trees are fruiting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eImage credit: watercolor of the ‘Dana Hovey’ pear by Mary Daisy Arnold, USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Pomological_Watercolor_POM00006945.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhotos: “Dana Hovey pear fruit, PI 541169 (pyr0166.001.fruit.2005b)” by USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System, National Clonal Germplasm Repository, Corvallis, Oregon, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/npgsweb.ars-grin.gov\/gringlobal\/accessiondetail?id=1436105\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eUSDA GRIN\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain; “Dana Hovey pear fruit, PI 541169 (pyr0166.001.fruit.2005a)” by USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System, National Clonal Germplasm Repository, Corvallis, Oregon, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/npgsweb.ars-grin.gov\/gringlobal\/accessiondetail?id=1436105\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eUSDA GRIN\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain; “PI 541169 Dana Hovey fruit, 9-18-2025” by USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System, National Clonal Germplasm Repository, Corvallis, Oregon, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/npgsweb.ars-grin.gov\/gringlobal\/accessiondetail?id=1436105\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eUSDA GRIN\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Dana Hovey Pear\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Dana Hovey Pear need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Dana Hovey Pear needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. No self-fertility data exists for Dana Hovey, and most European pears need a partner, so plant another pear. It blooms with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seckel-pear\"\u003eSeckel\u003c\/a\u003e. Partners we carry include Bartlett Pear, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flemish-beauty-pear\"\u003eFlemish Beauty Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeysweet-pear\"\u003eHoneysweet Pear\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Dana Hovey Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Dana Hovey Pear hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Dana Hovey Pear need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 650 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 500 and 900. Seedlings vary, so that's based on the parent, Seckel. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#dana-hovey-pear\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Dana Hovey Pear ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 25 to Oct 7 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Dana Hovey Pear get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Dana Hovey Pear onto OHxF 87 (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 14 to 19 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Dana Hovey Pear good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Dana Hovey Pear are fresh eating (9\/10), winter storage (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Dana Hovey Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Dana Hovey Pear now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 2-3 ft.","offer_id":45178215628866,"sku":null,"price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45178215661634,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/dana-hovey-pear-on-tree.jpg?v=1791615371"},{"product_id":"frost-pear","title":"Frost Pear (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Frost Pear is a pear tree rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 4 of 7, mid for a European pear), and it ripens about Sep 21 to Oct 1 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 800 hours (600 to 1,000). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#frost-pear\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), mid spring here. Frost's pollination needs are unknown, so plant another pear nearby. A Bartlett-season pear is the safest bet for overlapping bloom. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dana-hovey-pear\"\u003eDana Hovey Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/w0cjbu6yrtjetw48n6ga9edg4vgxoe\"\u003eFlemish Beauty Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeysweet-pear\"\u003eHoneysweet Pear\u003c\/a\u003e and 29 more. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pear-pollination-map\"\u003ePear Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Sep 21 to Oct 1 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOHxF 87: semi-dwarf, about 14 to 19 ft tall unpruned. The most precocious OHxF stock. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (7\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSometimes damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 2-3 ft or 3-5 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eA Bitterroot Ranch Pear\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis selection was discovered on an old ranch in Montana's Bitterroot Valley. The old veteran was planted nearly 100 years ago, and according to Roger Joy, it used to win the blue ribbon at the county fair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhere the Name Comes From\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo positive identification has been made on this pear yet. So, continuing a tradition of more than twenty years, we're keeping the name it has long gone by, the ranch name \"Frost,\" until a definite identification can be made.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit is quite large, similar to \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett\u003c\/a\u003e in size and shape, with sweet, juicy, melting flesh. It ripens in late September.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTree\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe canopy is upright and vigorous, and the old tree has shown good disease resistance. A favorite in the Bitterroot and one we recommend for western Montana.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrost is new for us, so we'll add our own notes once our trees are fruiting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eRepresentative photo of a large Bartlett-shaped pear, not Frost itself. Photo credit: “Foto Takkk Hungary Pyrus pear” by Takács István, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Foto_Takkk_Hungary_Pyrus_pear.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, in the public domain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Frost Pear\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Frost Pear need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Frost Pear needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Frost's pollination needs are unknown, so plant another pear nearby. A \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett\u003c\/a\u003e-season pear is the safest bet for overlapping bloom. Partners we carry include Bartlett Pear, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dana-hovey-pear\"\u003eDana Hovey Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flemish-beauty-pear\"\u003eFlemish Beauty Pear\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Frost Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Frost Pear hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Frost Pear need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 600 and 1,000. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. An unidentified Bitterroot Valley heirloom with no published chill data. It's proven in Montana winters; plan on about 800 hours elsewhere. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#frost-pear\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Frost Pear ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 21 to Oct 1 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Frost Pear get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Frost Pear onto OHxF 87 (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 14 to 19 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Frost Pear good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Frost Pear are fresh eating (7\/10).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Frost Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Frost Pear now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 2-3 ft.","offer_id":45178265337922,"sku":null,"price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45178265370690,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/frost-pear-representative-pear-on-tree.jpg?v=1790130543"},{"product_id":"harrow-sweet-pear","title":"Harrow Sweet Pear (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Harrow Sweet Pear is a pear tree rated hardy to zone 4 from other growers' reports (winters to -30°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 4 of 7, mid for a European pear), and it ripens about Sep 30 to Oct 14 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 4 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 4, colder half included (winters to -30°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 900 hours (800 to 1,000). From published figures. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#harrow-sweet-pear\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), mid spring here. Harrow Sweet needs a pollenizer. Bartlett blooms with it and the two pollenize each other well. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dana-hovey-pear\"\u003eDana Hovey Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/w0cjbu6yrtjetw48n6ga9edg4vgxoe\"\u003eFlemish Beauty Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeysweet-pear\"\u003eHoneysweet Pear\u003c\/a\u003e and 29 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pear-pollination-map\"\u003ePear Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Sep 30 to Oct 14 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOHxF 87: semi-dwarf, about 14 to 19 ft tall unpruned. The most precocious OHxF stock. Plant about 15 ft apart. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), winter storage (6\/10). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but we're still new to this one, so they lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests. 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSometimes damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 2-3 ft or 3-5 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is our first year growing Harrow Sweet, so everything below is secondhand until we get more long-term data from our own mother trees.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHarrow Sweet is a Canadian pear bred for fire blight resistance. It's a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett\u003c\/a\u003e-type pear that ripens three to four weeks after Bartlett and keeps into the winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt came out of Agriculture Canada's research station in Harrow, Ontario, from a cross of Bartlett and Purdue 80-51. Cummins says it was introduced in 1996 by R.E.C. Layne and H.A. Quamme.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit is yellow with a red blush, sweet and juicy, and Cummins and Purvis agree on that. It ripens about three to four weeks after Bartlett. It keeps well, about ten weeks according to Cummins and about three months in cold storage according to Purvis, and Cummins calls it \"a true winter pear.\" Cummins lists it for fresh eating, baking and canning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit and Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOurs are on OHxF 87 semi-dwarf rootstock, which runs about 75% the size of a full size pear. Plan on about 15 feet between trees, 12 feet if you're committed to pruning, or up to 18 feet for more room. Cummins describes a medium-sized, upright-spreading, reliably annual tree that's precocious and productive and usually needs heavy thinning. On fire blight, Cummins rates it very resistant and Purvis calls it resistant. Richard Bell of the USDA found it only moderately resistant in West Virginia and noted it seemed more susceptible there than in Canada. Cummins also says it resists mildew but is somewhat susceptible to scab.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHarrow Sweet is not self-fertile, per Cummins, so it needs another pear nearby. It blooms mid-season, so \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flemish-beauty-pear\"\u003eFlemish Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/honeysweet-pear\"\u003eHoneysweet\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/vermont-beauty-pear\"\u003eVermont Beauty\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ubileen-pear\"\u003eUbileen\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/waterville-pear\"\u003eWaterville\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/seckel-pear\"\u003eSeckel\u003c\/a\u003e will work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBob Purvis reports it hardy in southwest Minnesota to at least -34F, and Cummins rates it zones 4 to 8. We've listed it at zone 4.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhoto credit: USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System, National Clonal Germplasm Repository, Corvallis, Oregon, accession \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/npgsweb.ars-grin.gov\/gringlobal\/accessiondetail?id=1020106\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003ePI 617562\u003c\/a\u003e. Public domain (U.S. government work). Cropped from the original.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAdditional photo: “PI 617562 Harrow Sweet plant, 8-28-2021” by USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System, National Clonal Germplasm Repository, Corvallis, Oregon, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/npgsweb.ars-grin.gov\/gringlobal\/accessiondetail?id=1020106\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eUSDA GRIN\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Harrow Sweet Pear\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Harrow Sweet Pear need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Harrow Sweet Pear needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bartlett-pear\"\u003eBartlett\u003c\/a\u003e blooms with it and the two pollenize each other well. Partners we carry include Bartlett Pear, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dana-hovey-pear\"\u003eDana Hovey Pear\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flemish-beauty-pear\"\u003eFlemish Beauty Pear\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Harrow Sweet Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Harrow Sweet Pear at zone 4, which means winters down to about -30°F. That comes from Bob Purvis, who reports it hardy to at least -34°F in southwest Minnesota, and Cummins's zone 4 rating, not from our own winters yet. We'll update it once we've wintered our own trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Harrow Sweet Pear need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 900 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 800 and 1,000. That comes from published figures for this variety. Listed at 800 to 1,000 chill hours, and researchers use it as a high-chill pear. Skip it where winters are mild. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#harrow-sweet-pear\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Harrow Sweet Pear ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 30 to Oct 14 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Harrow Sweet Pear get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Harrow Sweet Pear onto OHxF 87 (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 14 to 19 ft tall if you never prune it. Plant about 15 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Harrow Sweet Pear good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Harrow Sweet Pear are fresh eating (8\/10), winter storage (6\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests. Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Harrow Sweet Pear?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Harrow Sweet Pear now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 2-3 ft.","offer_id":45178275463234,"sku":null,"price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45178275496002,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/harrow-sweet-pear-fruit.jpg?v=1790183963"},{"product_id":"ravalli-quince","title":"Ravalli Quince (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ravalli Quince is a quince tree provisionally listed at zone 4 (winters to -30°F, an untested estimate), and partially self-fertile, so a second variety nearby makes crops more dependable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAlso called\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eQuince (Cydonia oblonga)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 4 to 9. A bare number means the whole of zone 4, colder half included (winters to -30°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 300 hours (100 to 500). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. That's low, so chill is never short here, but it can wake early in a midwinter warm spell. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#ravalli-quince\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePartially Self-Fertile. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), very late spring here. Most quince are self-fertile, but some varieties are not and nothing is known about Ravalli yet, so plant it near Aromatnaya for a sure crop. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/aromatnaya-russian-quince\"\u003eAromatnaya Russian Quince\u003c\/a\u003e. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pollination-charts#quince\"\u003ePollination Charts\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOHxF 87: semi-dwarf, about 14 to 19 ft tall unpruned. The most precocious OHxF stock. Plant about 15 ft apart. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePies and baking (6\/10), cooking and roasting (6\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but we're still new to this one, so they lean on what's typical for quince rather than our own harvests. 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 2-3 ft or 3-5 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is our first year growing Ravalli, so everything below is secondhand until we get more long-term data from our own mother trees.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRavalli is a quince, one of two we carry along with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/aromatnaya-russian-quince\"\u003eAromatnaya\u003c\/a\u003e. Quince is a small tree with big, fragrant, pear-shaped fruit that mostly gets used for cooking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe haven't found Ravalli in any published quince lists, including Hedrick's Cyclopedia of Hardy Fruits, Cummins and Raintree, so there's no published history to pass along yet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe don't have fruit notes on Ravalli yet. Quinces in general are high in pectin, and most are too hard and tart to eat raw, so they usually get cooked into jam, jelly and quince paste, or baked, roasted or stewed. We'll add our own notes once our trees are bearing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit and Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOurs are grafted onto OHxF 87, a semi-dwarf pear rootstock. Quince is a small tree to begin with (up to about 20 feet), so plan on about 15 feet between trees, or 12 with regular pruning. Like pears, quince can get fire blight. W.W. Meech called it the same disease as pear blight back in 1919, so give it good airflow and keep your pruning cuts clean.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost quince are self-fertile, but nothing is known about Ravalli's pollination yet, and quince crops better with a partner anyway. Aromatnaya is the other quince we carry and would make a good one, since quince pollenizes best with other quince.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe haven't found a documented winter survival temperature for Ravalli. For comparison, Utah State rates quince in general to zone 5, and even Aromatnaya, one of the hardiest quinces around, is usually listed at zone 4 to 5 (about -30F). We've listed Ravalli at zone 4 for now, which is an estimate, and we'll update it once we've wintered our own trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Ravalli Quince\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Ravalli Quince need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt helps. Most quince are self-fertile, but nothing is known about Ravalli yet, so plant it near \u003ca href=\"\/products\/aromatnaya-russian-quince\"\u003eAromatnaya\u003c\/a\u003e for a sure crop. Partners we carry include Aromatnaya Russian Quince.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Ravalli Quince?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Ravalli Quince at zone 4 for now, which means winters down to about -30°F. That's an estimate. We haven't found a documented survival temperature for it, most quince are rated zone 4 to 5, and we haven't wintered our own trees yet. We'll update it once we have.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Ravalli Quince need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 300 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 100 and 500. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#ravalli-quince\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Ravalli Quince get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Ravalli Quince onto OHxF 87 (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 14 to 19 ft tall if you never prune it. Plant about 15 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Ravalli Quince good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Ravalli Quince are pies and baking (6\/10), cooking and roasting (6\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10). We don't have fruit notes on Ravalli yet, so those scores reflect what's typical for quince.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Ravalli Quince ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 2-3 ft or 3-5 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 2-3 ft.","offer_id":45178347257922,"sku":null,"price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"OHxF 87 Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45178347290690,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/ravalli-quince-representative-quinces-on-tree.jpg?v=1790130544"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/collections\/blue-pearmain-apples-plate_1a956b5b-ec7d-4c56-aa91-c5670d1b55df.jpg?v=1792787024","url":"https:\/\/www.montanafruittrees.com\/collections\/fruit-trees-under-40\/fig-tree.oembed","provider":"Montana Fruit Trees","version":"1.0","type":"link"}