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Pear 'Kieffer'

7-Gallon, Dwarf

Height: 8-10 feet tall.
Spread: 6-8 feet.
Sunlight: Full sun.
Hardiness Zone: 4a.
Other Names: Pyrus communis x Pyrus pyrifolia 'Kieffer'

Description:
A hardy and vigorous pear variety, 'Kieffer' is well known for its crisp texture, mild sweetness, and excellent storage life. This self-fertile, late-season variety produces medium to large, golden-yellow pears with a red blush. It is highly resistant to fire blight and thrives in a wide range of climates, making it a great choice for home orchards.

Edible Qualities:
Pear 'Kieffer' produces firm, juicy fruit with a mild, slightly tart flavor. It is best enjoyed after a short period of ripening off the tree and is excellent for preserving and cooking.

The fruit is most often used in the following ways:
- Fresh Eating (after ripening)
- Canning
- Baking
- Preserves
- Juicing

Features & Attributes:
Pear 'Kieffer' features glossy green foliage throughout the growing season, followed by fragrant white blossoms in early spring that attract pollinators. Its golden-yellow fruit ripens in mid to late fall and has excellent storage capabilities. The tree's upright, spreading form makes it a great choice for small home orchards.

This is a deciduous tree with a moderately vigorous growth habit. It is self-fertile but will produce larger yields when planted with another pear variety for cross-pollination.

Aside from its primary use as an edible, Pear 'Kieffer' is suitable for the following landscape applications:
- Small Orchards
- Home Gardens
- Edible Landscaping

Planting & Growing:
Pear 'Kieffer' will grow to be about 8-10 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 6-8 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 2-3 feet from the ground. It grows at a moderate rate and, under ideal conditions, can be expected to live for 50 years or more.

This tree thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It requires regular watering, particularly during fruit development, and benefits from an annual layer of mulch to retain soil moisture and regulate temperature. Pruning in late winter or early spring helps maintain its shape and encourages better fruit production.

Additional Characteristics:
- Self-Fertile (Better Yields with Cross-Pollination)
- Late-Season Harvest
- Fire Blight Resistant
- Cold Hardy
- Excellent Storage Life