Medium-sized fruit tree
Description: Large, bright yellow to bronze fruits ripen in October; crisp, sweet flesh; stores well
Habit: Grows 16-20’ high; grafted onto a semi-dwarfing rootstock (OHxF97); good disease resistance
Culture: Prefers full sun and even moisture; space trees 20’ apart; self-fertile
Hardiness:USDA Zones 4 through 9
Nicknamed the “keeper” pear for its excellent storage quality, this pear is supposedly an accidental hybrid of a European species and an Oriental species discovered growing on the Philadelphia-area farm of Peter Kieffer in the mid-19th century. Tolerant of both cool northern climates as well as hot southern ones, the hardy Kieffer pear is good for baking, canning, and preserves.
This plant will ship bare root. Approximately 4-5' tall.
Bare root planting tips:
~ If you can't plant immediately, store your plant in a cool location and keep the roots moist or pot in a container with a nursery potting mix from your local garden center.
~ Before planting, let the roots soak for several hours as you prepare the site. You'll want to dig a large enough hole so the root mass can spread out and the plant is at the same soil level as when it was growing in the nursery.
~ Once planted, water it in well and wait a month before fertilizing. Mulching will help to maintain moisture and raise soil temperatures for faster growth.