Description
Orcas is one of the Pacific Northwest’s finest home-orchard pears, famous for its enormous fruit, exceptional juiciness, and naturally sweet, low-acid flavor. Originally discovered on Orcas Island in Washington, this variety thrives in cool-summer regions and consistently produces heavy crops even in variable spring weather. Grafted onto a semi-dwarfing rootstock, this tree matures at a manageable 12–15 ft—ideal for smaller orchards and easy annual maintenance. Orcas is especially valued for its reliability in coastal and maritime climates, where some pear varieties struggle to size and ripen. Orcas is not self-fertile and requires another European pear such as Bartlett, Anjou, Bosc, or Comice planted within 20–30 feet for strong pollination.
Overview
- Huge pears with very sweet, juicy, refreshing flavor.
- Outstanding for fresh eating, drying, and canning.
- Performs extremely well in the Pacific Northwest.
- Semi-dwarf size for easy care and harvesting.
- Requires another European pear for pollination.
Growing Details
Latin Name: Pyrus communis ‘Orcas’
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; prefers well-drained soil
Rootstock: OHxF 97 (semi-dwarf)
Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zone 5
Bearing Age: 1–3 years
Size at Maturity: 12–15 ft — compact and manageable
Bloom Time: Mid-season
Ripening Time: Late August to September
Pollination: Requires another European pear
Pests & Diseases: Good vigor; benefits from airflow in humid regions
Yield: Heavy crops; fruit often requires thinning
Additional Notes
- Nerdy fact: Orcas originated as a chance seedling on Orcas Island in Washington and quickly became a regional favorite due to its unusually large fruit—often exceeding 1 lb each.
- An excellent choice for canning thanks to its sweetness and firm texture when cooked.
- Semi-dwarfing rootstock helps maintain long-term tree size and productivity.
- Explore more pear varieties in our collection: Pear Trees
