Pear, Orcas

$59.00

Pyrus communis

A Pacific Northwest pear tree that originated on Orcas Island. Orcas has superb texture and great flavor in addition to being highly disease resistant. Often compared to Bartlett in timing, quality and taste. Produces fruit that are quite large and is a heavy and consistent bearer. Excellent for fresh eating right off the tree, as well as canning and drying.

USDA Zone: 5-9

Pollination: Needs a different European Pear with a matching bloom time as a pollinator to produce fruit. Bosc, Comice and Orcas all pollinate one another.

Time to productivity: 2-3 years depending on conditions.

Ripening time: Early September

Storage length: About a month, depending on when it was picked.

See this excellent guide on pear harvest and storage here: https://extension.wsu.edu/maritimefruit/tree-fruit-harvest-storage-tips/

 

SKU: ORCAS-PEAR Category: Tag:

Description

Horticulturalist Joe Long discovered this tree growing on his property on Orcas Island, WA and it has become a regional favorite. The fruit is large, flavorful, and yellow with a carmine blush when perfectly ripe. The texture is smooth, slick and features very few grit cells. Orcas' scab resistance is legendary! The tree has a vigorous, spreading habit and bears prolifically every year. The pears are great for canning, drying or eating fresh; they mature in early September. Since the tree is a late bloomer (even though it's an early ripener), it's great to match as a pollinizer with a later-ripening keeper variety like Bosc or Seckel. USDA Zone: 5-9

Additional information

Pot size

1 Gal, 3 Gal, 5 Gal, 7 Gal, 10 Gal, 15 Gal, Bare-root