Summercrisp Pear Tree

Summercrisp Pear is a cold-hardy, early-season pear introduced by the University of Minnesota, specifically bred for cold climates where most pear cultivars struggle to survive or fruit reliably. Its name reflects both its early harvest season and the fact that it is best enjoyed firm, with crisp, sweet flesh.

A Standard tree reaches 25 feet in height at maturity with a 20-foot spread, a low canopy clearance of about 4 feet, and a conical shape. When grafted onto smaller rootstocks, the pear does not reach such heights. Though vigorous, its growth pattern can be controlled with annual pruning. Leaves are dark green and glossy on top, grayish and dull beneath, with serrated edges. One-year-old wood is dark reddish-brown with tan lenticels, maturing to gray in successive seasons. Summercrisp flowers annually in early May, coinciding with ‘Patten’ and ‘Parker’ and 2–4 days earlier than ‘Luscious.’ It requires cross-pollination but produces abundant, viable pollen, making it an excellent pollinizer for other cold-hardy pear cultivars. White flowers with purple anthers appear in mid-spring on clusters along the branches.

Fruit is showy, pyriform in shape, chartreuse with a red blush, and bears abundantly in late summer. The pomes measure 8–10 cm long and 6–8 cm in diameter, often with prominent red lenticels. Summercrisp pears ripen in mid-August—about five weeks earlier than cultivars such as ‘Luscious,’ ‘Patten,’ and ‘Parker’—and have a soluble solids content of approximately 11° Brix at harvest. For optimal quality, fruit should be harvested while green with a red blush, immediately refrigerated, and consumed before any yellowing occurs, as postharvest ripening can lead to grittiness, browning around the seeds, and strong aromas that reduce eating quality. When properly handled, the fruit is crisp, juicy, and mildly sweet, and can be stored for up to six weeks. Summercrisp is not recommended for canning, as processing highlights grit cells.

Summercrisp is very vigorous and long-lived, with trees capable of living 70 years or more under ideal conditions. Fruit is borne on numerous spurs, and the tree exhibits strong resistance to fire blight, having shown no symptoms over 20 years of testing—even when neighboring cultivars were affected. Foliage and fruit are generally free of pests and diseases, though pear scab (Venturia pirina) may occasionally occur.

The Summercrisp pear is well-suited for home orchards, small-scale plantings, and colder regions where other pear cultivars may not thrive. It is particularly prized for fresh eating, where its crisp texture, juicy flesh, and sweet, mild flavor can be fully appreciated.

USDA Zone: 4-8

Mature Heights:

OHxF 87: ~15-18' Tall at Maturity; Semi-Dwarf

OHxF 97: ~18-21' Tall at Maturity; Semi-Dwarf

Sun: Full Sun

Ripening Time: August

Pollination: Required- other European Pear needed though makes an excellent pollinator. 

Scientific Name: Pyrus communis 'Summercrisp'