19 Bartlett Pear Tree Facts: Is It Different Than Your Regular Pear?

Shirin Biswas
Sep 27, 2022 By Shirin Biswas
Originally Published on Jan 25, 2022
Edited by Jacob Fitzbright
Fact-checked by Niyati Parab
Learn some Bartlett pear tree facts with us today!

Bartlett pears are famous and rightfully so!

These fruits are sweet and soft, which is more than we can ask for. To top that off, Bartlett pears are also easy to grow and do not require as much care as apple trees do.

The Bartlett pear tree is a popular variety of pear trees that is known for its sweet fruit. It is believed to have originated in England in the 1800s, and it has since become a favorite among gardeners and orchardists.

We will look into some interesting facts about the Bartlett pear tree. We will cover everything from its history to its care and cultivation. So if you are interested in learning more about this amazing tree, keep reading!

Facts About A Bartlett Pear Tree

When it comes to growing sweet-tasting fruits, the most important thing to keep in mind is that the tree variety is hardy and allows people some space for mistakes.

While apple trees are thought to be the clear choice in some cases, the Bartlett pears can be way easier for the people who choose to grow a fruit tree for the first time.

This is because not only does a Bartlett pear tree bear fruit throughout the year once it has matured but also survives in some of the bad conditions that it may come by. The young trees are often quite easy to care for and begin flowering in about a year of being planted.

Depending on the variety, the tree grows to be several feet tall!

  • Bartlett pear trees are a popular variety of pear trees that are known for their sweet fruit.
  • It is believed to have originated in England in the 1800s.
  • Bartlett pears are one of the most popular pear varieties grown in the United States.
  • Bartlett pear trees are hardy trees that can tolerate a variety of climates.
  • The Bartlett pear fruit is sweet and juicy, with a smooth texture.
  • Bartlett pear trees typically grow as outdoor trees, but they can also be grown indoors.
  • The dwarf trees of the Bartlett pear variety are usually easier to grow indoors.
  • When fully ripe, the Bartlett pear takes up a lighter shade and becomes quite sweet.
  • When unripe, the outer skin of the fruit appears green in color, and the flesh remains crunchy and somewhat tart.
  • The time to harvest fruit from the Bartlett pear trees is highly dependent on the part of the world where they are planted.
  • Bartlett pears were initially discovered by a schoolmaster named John Stair.
  • It is commonly said that later a man named Williams acquired the variety and the fruit got named after him and was sold as Williams pears.
  • This fruit quickly gained popularity among the people of England, however, the name was later changed.
  • These trees bear fruit for over 100 years, which essentially means that once you can plant a tree, you are sure to have a life-long supply!
  • The time of harvest is variable, but the standard time frame is around late August or early September!
  • This tree grows very quickly.

Pollination In Bartlett Pear Trees

Bartlett pears are not self-pollinating, which is why they should be cared for by the careful gardeners!

  • When growing Bartlett pears, it is important to keep in mind that these trees do not usually carry out self-pollination.
  • Another thing to remember is that these trees do the best when planted with other varieties of pear trees such as the ones from the eastern parts of the world.
  • Cross-pollination becomes a necessity because the flowers of these trees are not attractive to bees and other common pollinators of the natural world.
  • However, there are some pear trees that do not do well when cross-pollinated!
  • When planting such trees, it must be kept in mind that they often take up a lot of space.
  • Hence, each plant should be spaced in such a way that they have at least 25 ft (7.6 m) between them. This gives the plant enough space to grow!
  • The natural pollinators of this pear variety are Anjou, Bosc, and Comice.
  • The tree blooms just around spring!

What growing conditions do Bartlett pear trees need?

When growing fruit trees such as the Bartlett pears, there are a couple of things that must be kept in mind.

  • If you are interested in planting a Bartlett pear tree, make sure you choose a spot that receives full sun and has well-drained soil.
  • Bartlett pear trees should be fertilized annually with a balanced fertilizer.
  • Bartlett pear trees are not drought tolerant, which is why they should not be left underwatered for long spans of time.
  • During the growing season of the Bartlett pear tree, it is important that the soil is well fertilized and kept in a constant moist state.
  • Bartlett pear trees can be pruned in the springtime to maintain their shape.
  • Dry spells can kill a Bartlett pear tree!
  • Bartlett pear trees are typically harvested in late summer or early fall.
  • These trees require at least six hours of direct sunlight, which is also applicable for most other fruit trees, such as apples.
  • Sunlight ensures the healthy growth of the plant, while an inadequacy of the same can cause the plant to wilt or have overall stunted growth!

How can a Bartlett pear tree be identified?

There are a couple of ways in which you can successfully identify the type of Bartlett pear tree around you!

  • The Bartlett pear tree often has teardrop-shaped leaves.
  • The best way to identify such a plant would be to identify the fruit first.
  • The Bartlett pears are standard-sized and are yellow and smooth-skinned when ripe.
  • On the tree, they appear green and firm.
  • On the other hand, other pear varieties are usually smaller and have green skin when ripe.
  • The tree grows 25–30 ft (7.6-9.1 m) in height and has a somewhat bushy, upright crown.

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Written by Shirin Biswas

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Language and Literature

Shirin Biswas picture

Shirin BiswasBachelor of Arts specializing in English Language and Literature

With a degree in English from Amity University, Noida, Shirin has won awards for oratory, acting, and creative writing. She has a wealth of experience as an English teacher, editor, and writer, having previously worked at Quizzy and Big Books Publishing. Her expertise lies in editing study guides for children and creating engaging content.

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Fact-checked by Niyati Parab

Bachelor of Commerce

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Niyati ParabBachelor of Commerce

With a background in digital marketing, Niyati brings her expertise to ensure accuracy and authenticity in every piece of content. She has previously written articles for MuseumFacts, a history web magazine, while also handling its digital marketing. In addition to her marketing skills, Niyati is fluent in six languages and has a Commerce degree from Savitribai Phule Pune University. She has also been recognized for her public speaking abilities, holding the position of Vice President of Education at the Toastmasters Club of Pune, where she won several awards and represented the club in writing and speech contests at the area level.

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