Kieffer pear is a heavy bearing tree and can tolerate both drought and flooding. It is resistant to Fire Blight. At least two cultivars are recommended for adequate pollination. The mature size of the tree depends on the version you choose, the standard one of dwarf one. Height: 20 ft. or 12-15 ft. Width: 20 ft. or 10 ft. Site : Full sun. Slightly acidic, deep, heavy, and moist well-drained soil. Quite sensitive to salt but will tolerate both drought and flooding. VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants," a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Pyrus communis .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nichePyrus communisPyrus communis 'Harrow Sweet'Pyrus communis 'Harvest Queen'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Edible; Tree
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Frequent Standing Water | Good Drainage | Occasional Flooding | Occasionally Wet
Available space
12-24 feet
Mature size
Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in. | Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Oval; Rounded
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Orbicular; Ovate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Glossy; Smooth
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The glossy, simple leaves feature fine teeth on the margin and provide golden bronze fall color.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow
Flower color
White
Flower detail
The white flowers blooms late in the season.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Gold/Yellow; Red/Burgundy; White
Fruit type
Pome
Fruit value
Edible; Fragrant
Fruit size
> 3 inches long, > 3 inches wide
Fruit detail
It produces large-sized, golden-yellow with some crimson blush fruit. The white flesh is crisp and coarse. It is good for preserves, canning or baking. Ripens from mid-September to mid-October.
Bark color
Light Gray
Bark detail
Similar to an apple tree; prominent lenticels that grow fissured and scaly with age.
Stem color
Gray/Silver
Stem detail
Dwarf shoots on old wood. New stems are pointed.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Attracts
Butterflies; Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Pome
Edibility
It produces large-sized, golden-yellow with some crimson blush fruit. The white flesh is crisp and coarse. It is good for preserves, canning or baking. Ripens from mid-September to mid-October.