Pear (Hybrid), Kieffer, Bare Root

Pear (Hybrid), Kieffer (Pyrus × ‘Kieffer’)

Kieffer is a tough, time-tested hybrid pear (a cross between Pyrus communis and Pyrus pyrifolia) that combines the crisp, juicy texture of Asian pears with the classic flavor and shape of European pears. It produces large, firm fruit with yellow skin and a light red blush, ripening in late September to early October. The flesh is crisp, slightly coarse, and mildly sweet — perfect for preserving, baking, pickling, and long storage. While not as soft or melting as European dessert pears, Kieffer is a homesteader’s favorite for its reliability and versatility.

Exceptionally resistant to fire blight and well-adapted to hot, humid climates, Kieffer thrives in USDA Zones 5–9. It’s partially self-fertile, though it produces more abundantly with another pear nearby (Moonglow, Ayers, or Bartlett work well). Vigorous and productive, Kieffer is ideal for low-maintenance orchards, food forests, silvopasture systems, and regenerative farms where disease resistance and fruit utility are key.

Key Characteristics

• Firm, crisp fruit ideal for preserving and storage
  Kieffer pears are not meant to be eaten soft like traditional European pears. Their crisp, coarse texture and mild sweetness shine in canning, baking, pickling, and pies.
• Exceptionally disease-resistant and hardy
  Known for its strong resistance to fire blight, one of the most serious pear diseases. A great low-spray or organic option, especially in humid or disease-prone regions.
• Late-season harvest with long shelf life
  Ripens in late September to October and stores very well — often for several months in cool storage without losing quality. An excellent late-season addition to orchard successions.
• Partially self-fertile, with improved yields from cross-pollination
  Can produce on its own but fruits more heavily when planted with other pears like Moonglow, Ayers, or Bartlett. Also serves as a good pollinator for other mid- and late-season pears.
• Adaptable to regenerative systems and silvopasture
  Its durability, upright form, and low disease pressure make it an ideal choice for food forests, orchard hedgerows, and pasture edge plantings, where it can provide both food and habitat.

Product Details

• Sun requirements: Full sun
• Soil requirements: Medium, well-drained; tolerant of heavier soils
• Bloom time: Early spring
• Bloom color: White
• Fruit qualities: Large, yellow skin with light red blush; firm, crisp, mildly sweet; coarse texture
• Fruit uses: Canning, baking, pickling, preserves, long-term storage
• Fruit ripening month: Late September to early October
• Required chill hours: ~350–600
• Pollination requirements: Partially self-fertile; better yields with Moonglow, Ayers, or Bartlett
• USDA Hardiness zones: 5–9

Kieffer is a rugged, resilient pear with excellent utility — a top choice for growers who want productive trees with minimal fuss. Whether you’re building a food forest, homestead orchard, or silvopasture system, Kieffer brings long-lasting value and harvests you can count on.