Red Bartlett Pear

Red Bartlett Pear (Pyrus communis 'Red Bartlett')

Red Bartlett Pear is a reliable European pear with smooth, glossy red skin and classic Bartlett flavor, ripening from late summer into early fall. A naturally rounded, moderately vigorous tree suits home orchards, edible landscapes, and espalier along warm walls.

Distinctive Features

Sport of Bartlett bearing aromatic, buttery flesh with bright red skins that deepen in sun. Fruit finishes with a sweet, melting texture when harvested firm and ripened off the tree.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Full sun for best bloom, color, and sweetness.
• Soil: Well drained loam or sandy loam; slightly acidic to neutral is ideal.
• Water: Keep evenly moist during establishment and fruit swell; avoid waterlogged sites.
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8.
• Mature Size: About 12 to 20 ft tall and 10 to 15 ft wide depending on rootstock and pruning.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Red fruit and white spring bloom provide multi season interest.
• Home Orchard: Dependable crops for fresh eating, baking, and canning.
• Edible Landscape: Attractive canopy integrates shade and harvest.
• Espalier: Trains flat to save space and improve ripening.
• Pollinator Rows: Pairs well with compatible European pears for yield.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Deeply water during dry spells, especially from bloom through fruit swell.
• Pruning: Train to a central leader; thin interior shoots in late winter to improve light and airflow.
• Fertilizing: Feed lightly in early spring based on soil tests; avoid excess nitrogen that reduces fruit quality.
• Mulching: Apply a 2 to 3 inch mulch ring to conserve moisture and moderate soil temperature, keeping mulch off the trunk.
• Notes: Partially self fertile but heavier crops with a compatible pollinizer such as Bosc, Anjou, or Comice; thin fruit to 1 per cluster for size and branch safety.

Why Choose Red Bartlett Pear?

• Classic Flavor: Sweet, aromatic flesh with the familiar Bartlett profile.
• Showy Color: Red skins add landscape appeal and market interest.
• Productive: Reliable yields with proper pruning and pollination.
• Versatile Use: Excellent fresh, canned, or baked.
• Manageable Size: Adapts to training and rootstocks for small yards.

Plant in full sun with good drainage, prune to a light, open canopy, and harvest firm, then finish ripening indoors for peak texture and flavor.