Bartlett, known as Williams or Williams’ Bon Chrétien in Europe, is the classic yellow summer pear. Utah State University Extension calls it the most widely grown pear cultivar, used for both canning and eating fresh. It is easy to grow in many climates, but three things catch out first-time growers: it sets far more fruit with a second pear variety nearby, it is very susceptible to fire blight, and its fruit must be picked green and ripened off the tree.

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The short answer: plant a Bartlett pear in full sun and well-drained soil, in spring or fall. Bartlett is only partially self-fruitful, so plant a different pear such as d’Anjou nearby for better crops (Utah State University Extension). Standard trees grow about 25 feet tall and need about 150 square feet of space. Prune lightly in late winter, and cut out fire blight promptly. Pick Bartlett when the skin turns from dark green to lighter green and the fruit separates easily when lifted and twisted, then ripen it indoors.

Bartlett at a glance

Feature	Bartlett pear
Type	European pear (Pyrus communis)
Height	About 25 feet on standard rootstock; less on semi-dwarf
Space needed	About 150 square feet per mature tree
Pollination	Partially self-fruitful; better crops with another pear
Pollinator Utah State names	d’Anjou (self-fruitful and commonly used as a pollinator)
Harvest	Late summer, picked mature but green
Main problem	Fire blight

Sizes and spacing are from Utah State University Extension. Check bloom times locally, because the pollinator needs to flower at the same time.

Choosing a tree and rootstock

Utah State notes that pear trees are grafted onto rootstocks, and standard trees grow about 25 feet tall. Semi-dwarf rootstocks, often from the Old Home x Farmingdale (OHxF) series, produce trees about 70 to 80% of standard size. For a small yard, a semi-dwarf Bartlett is easier to prune, spray and pick. Our guide to how big pear trees grow compares sizes.

Planting

Utah State recommends planting pears in spring or fall. Choose a spot in full sun, with good air movement and soil that drains well. Pears tolerate heavier soils than many fruit trees but not standing water.

Dig a hole two to three times as wide as the root ball and no deeper, as the International Society of Arboriculture recommends.
Set the tree so the graft union stays several inches above the soil, and the trunk flare is visible.
Backfill with the soil you dug out, water well and mulch.
Keep grass at least three feet from the trunk, as Utah State advises. This prevents mower damage and reduces competition for water.

Pollination

Utah State describes Bartlett as partially self-fruitful, with yields that increase when another pear cultivar is close by. It names d’Anjou as self-fruitful, a common pollinator and a good keeper, and Bosc as a good pear for eating fresh, canning and cooking. Plant the second tree within easy bee range, ideally in the same yard, and check that the two varieties bloom at the same time.

Pruning and thinning

Prune in late winter while the tree is dormant. Train young trees to a central leader or modified leader with well-spaced scaffold branches. Pears grow upright, so spreading young branches to a wider angle encourages fruiting. Avoid heavy pruning, which triggers soft, upright shoots that are prone to fire blight.

Utah State recommends thinning fruit two to three weeks after petal fall. Remove the smaller fruit and leave the largest pear in each cluster, spacing fruit about 6 to 8 inches apart along the branch. Thinning improves size and color and keeps the tree from overcropping.

Fire blight: Bartlett’s weak spot

Utah State notes that pears are very susceptible to fire blight, which limits where they can be grown, and that removing infected wood is the best treatment. The Morton Arboretum describes blossoms and new shoots that turn brown, then black, often with tips bent into a hook. Prune out infected wood at least 6 inches below visible damage on a dry day, sterilize tools between cuts and avoid heavy nitrogen. See our fire blight guide for details.

WSU Tree Fruit also lists Bartlett as moderately susceptible to the pear leafcurling midge, which curls young leaves in spring. It mostly matters on young trees. See why pear leaves curl.

Harvesting and ripening

European pears such as Bartlett do not ripen well on the tree. Utah State explains that fruit left to ripen there turns brown in the center and develops off flavors. Pick when the skin color shifts from dark green to lighter green and the lenticels (small dots) on the skin darken. Lift the pear and twist it gently. A mature pear separates easily from the spur.

Utah State notes that Bartlett and other European pears need a period of cold storage after harvest before they ripen properly. Chill them in the refrigerator for a short time, then ripen at room temperature until the flesh near the stem gives slightly to gentle pressure.

Propagating your own

Bartlett is propagated by grafting onto rootstock. Seeds do not come true to type. If you want to try rooting one, see growing a pear tree from a cutting.

Sources

How to Grow Pears in Your Home Orchard, Utah State University Extension
Pyrus communis (Common Pear), NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Fire Blight, The Morton Arboretum
Pear Leafcurling Midge, WSU Tree Fruit, Washington State University
Planting a Tree, International Society of Arboriculture, TreesAreGood.org

Top photo: Atamari, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Growing a Bartlett Pear Tree: Planting to Harvest