Summercrisp Pear

Overview

These 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. Summercrisp showed no damage at these temps and has survived even colder conditions.

Tree Growth and Characteristics

The 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.

Fruit Quality and Hardiness Zones

The fruit is medium-sized and best eaten when crisp. Summercrisp is hardy well into Zone 2, 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.

Tree Sizes and Rootstock

These 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.

Image courtesy of University of Minnesota link