Description
Summercrisp is an ultra-reliable early-season pear developed for colder climates, known for its crisp texture, refreshing sweetness, and exceptional hardiness. As its name suggests, Summercrisp is harvested before fully softening—yielding a firm, juicy, apple-like bite with mild, pleasant flavor.
This variety was bred at the University of Minnesota specifically for regions with harsh winters and short summers. It thrives where many European pears struggle, yet performs beautifully in temperate climates as well. Its fruit has light green skin with a soft red blush and resists internal breakdown, making it excellent for fresh eating and salads.
Grafted onto a semi-dwarfing rootstock, Summercrisp stays compact, manageable, and highly productive. It is not self-fertile and requires another early- to mid-blooming European pear for pollination, such as Bartlett, Anjou, or Honeysweet.
Overview
- Crisp, juicy, refreshing early-season pear.
- Extremely cold-hardy and reliable.
- Semi-dwarf tree stays compact and easy to manage.
- Excellent for eating fresh or in salads.
- Requires another pear for pollination.
Growing Details
Latin Name: Pyrus communis ‘Summercrisp’
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; well-drained soil
Rootstock: OHxF 97 (semi-dwarf)
Hardiness: USDA Zone 3–8
Bearing Age: 1–3 years
Size at Maturity: 12–15 ft — compact and manageable
Bloom Time: Mid-season, compatible with many varieties
Ripening Time: Early August (very early pear)
Pollination: Requires another European pear
Pests & Diseases: Good fire blight tolerance compared to many pears
Yield: Heavy, reliable crops
Additional Notes
- Nerdy fact: Summercrisp was one of the earliest successes of the University of Minnesota’s hardy fruit breeding program — the same program responsible for Honeycrisp apples.
- Harvest when firm for best quality; if allowed to soften, flavor declines.
- Excellent choice for northern growers or anyone wanting an early pear.
- Explore more pear varieties in our collection: Pear Trees
