Human pears zone 4b MN

[Wind Gypsy]

The Mrs wants a couple pear trees at home for us. We are just northwest of the twin cities metro.

I know there has to be something that will work because my grandparents had a great pear tree in their yard when I was growing up about 30 miles away. No idea what it was.

Looking for recommendations for a tasty variety that will make it here. Do we need 2 different varieties for pollination?

Thanks!

 

[Barndog56]

I've got a Moonglow pear here in 5a Wisconsin that grows huge, delicious pears. I don't know about disease resistance so you'll have to look into that, but it's outstanding in my opinion.

 

[Mortenson]

I don't know which ones to tell you, but I'd consider checking to see if they're 4a minimum just as a safety net.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

There is a fair bit of red cedar in our yard.

 

[Native Hunter]

There is a fair bit of red cedar in our yard.

Pears aren't affected by Cedar Apple Rust, but Fireblight is a real problem with some. Where I live Moonglow is one of the most bulletproof in terms of Disease Resistance, but I don't know how cold hearty it is.

I recommend looking at the pears Blue Hill offers on his Website. He advertises several as Zone 4b safe and gives taste information as well. I have some of his pears planted, but they are still young. If you can grow Olympic Giant in your area, I highly recommend it for taste. And, for me it grows very clean with no DR problems at all.

 

[Tree Spud]

Wallace Woodstock in Neillsville, WI has a good inventory of cold hardy pears down to 3- 4a. I bought their wildlife pack about 15 years ago, the have all done pretty well and we are in zone 5a (lost 2). I'll also note that we have Bartlett pears ewe bought form or local nursery and they have done well,

Wallace Woodstock Nursey

 

[Native Hunter]

Forgot to mention - yes, you will need two different ones for pollination. Around here there are so many wild pears (offspring of Bradford that birds planted) pollination isn't a problem. Most every fence row is covered up with them, and they will pollinate a good pear.

 

[bigboreblr]

Saint lawrence nursery specailizes in cold hearty plants. Close to he canadian border with lake effect snows in NY. Fedco in maine is another place to look. Far as rsearch, cummins nursery has great descriptions and you can search by zone.

Zones are a fine balance between elevation, latitude, and some local geographic factors. They rezoned my camp from 3 to 4. However, they still get polar vortex and lake effect nows. If your effected by ake weather a good bit, you might want to consider yourself zone 3. PEars bloom earlier than apples, so keep in mind bloom group.

 

[homerj]

Pears are indeed impacted by cedar pear rust. Just like apples. Cedar pear rust, cedar quince rust, all almost identical to cedar apple rust biologically

 

[Wind Gypsy]

Wallace Woodstock in Neillsville, WI has a good inventory of cold hardy pears down to 3- 4a. I bought their wildlife pack about 15 years ago, the have all done pretty well and we are in zone 5a (lost 2). I'll also note that we have Bartlett pears ewe bought form or local nursery and they have done well,

Wallace Woodstock Nursey

Good tip, I was really happy with my apple trees from wallace, they just don’t have many on standard rootstock. I’ll probably order a couple pear trees from them.

 

[bwoods11]

I’ve heard Kieffer pears are good cold tolerant? I don’t have any planted, just what I’ve read .

 

[Tree Spud]

My Bartletts done well last 7 years.

 

[CTA]

Early Gold, Patten, and Parker will all work in your area, and are good tasting from what I’ve heard. Only had Early Gold but they are similar to a Bartlett, albeit smaller. I’ve inquired on fully grown pear trees around the Minneapolis metro area when I’ve seen them, and Parker is typically what I’ve been told if the owner actually knows.