'Summercrisp' Dwarf European Pear

The Summercrisp Pear was developed by the University of Minnesota and released in 1985 as an early-season pear with outstanding eating quality. True to its name, Summercrisp is harvested in August, while the fruit is still firm and crisp — offering a refreshing, apple-like bite at a time when most pears are still weeks away from ripening.

Fruits are medium-sized, green with a red blush, and have a crisp, juicy flesh with a mildly sweet, refreshing flavour. Unlike many pears that must be picked firm and ripened off the tree, Summercrisp is meant to be enjoyed crisp at harvest. With refrigeration, it can be stored for several weeks, during which the flesh gradually softens while maintaining good flavour.

Dwarf Summercrisp trees grow to a manageable size of 8-10 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide, making them easy to fit into small orchards or home gardens. Summercrisp trees are vigorous, productive, and resistant to fire blight, a common pear disease.

Combining dwarf size, cold-hardiness, disease resistance, early ripening and excellent eating quality, dwarf Summercrisp pear trees make a wonderful addition to an edible garden.

Common names: Summercrisp Pear, Summercrisp Dwarf Pear, Summercrisp European Pear

Edible: Fruit
Harvest timing: Early to mid-August (while still crisp)

Scientific name: Pyrus communis 'Summercrisp'
Light requirements: Full sun (6+ hours)
Full-grown size: Dwarf pear (8-10' tall x 6-8' wide)
Hardiness: Zone 3 (-40ºC), but more reliable in Zone 4 (-34.4ºC) and above.
Pollination: Requires cross-pollination with a European pear that blooms mid-season, such as 'Luscious' which we also offer.
Wildlife: Spring blossom highly attractive to bees. Birds and mammals may be attracted to fruit.
Origin: Developed at the University of Minnesota and released in 1985.
Noteworthy: Crisp texture. Early ripening. Exceptional cold hardiness.