Description
Seckel, often called the “Sugar Pear,” is one of the sweetest pears you can grow. Its small, bite-sized fruit is intensely flavorful—rich, spicy-sweet, and aromatic. Favored for fresh eating, pickling, baking whole, and gourmet cheese pairings, Seckel has earned its place as a beloved heirloom variety in American orchards. Grafted onto a semi-dwarfing rootstock, Seckel grows into a compact, easy-to-manage tree that fits beautifully into home gardens. It is naturally vigorous, productive, and more resistant to fire blight than many European pears, making it an excellent choice for growers seeking low-maintenance reliability. While Seckel is partially self-fertile, it will produce much heavier crops when paired with another European pear such as Bartlett, Anjou, Orcas, or Comice.
Overview
- Exceptionally sweet “Sugar Pear” flavor.
- Perfect for fresh eating, pickling, and baking whole.
- Compact, semi-dwarf tree ideal for home orchards.
- Partially self-fertile; heavier crops with a pollinator.
- Good fire blight resistance compared to many pears.
Growing Details
Latin Name: Pyrus communis ‘Seckel’
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; well-drained soil
Rootstock: OHxF 97 (semi-dwarf)
Hardiness: USDA Zone 5–9
Bearing Age: 1–3 years
Size at Maturity: 12–15 ft — compact and manageable
Bloom Time: Mid-season
Ripening Time: September
Pollination: Partially self-fertile; performs best with a pollinator
Pests & Diseases: Better fire blight tolerance than many varieties
Yield: Heavy and consistent when mature
Additional Notes
- Nerdy fact: Seckel is believed to be the only widely grown American pear that originated as a wild seedling—discovered near Philadelphia in the late 1700s and prized for its unmatched sweetness.
- Fruit is naturally small but incredibly sweet and aromatic.
- Excellent for kids, snacking, and gourmet cooking.
- Explore more pear varieties in our collection: Pear Trees
