Pear trees add beauty to any landscape, and they’re delicious to boot.
There are various cold-hardy varieties perfect for USDA zone 4.
We take a look at seven different pear varieties that grow well in Zone 4 so you can choose which one suits your yard best.
7 Delicious Pear Varieties That Grow Well In USDA Zone 4
1. Summercrisp Pear (Pyrus communis)
The Summercrisp variety is a cold-hardy, early-season pear. It was introduced by the University of Minnesota specifically for growing in cold climates, where most pears don’t thrive or even fruit. It should come as no surprise that the Summercrisp is an early-season cultivar ready during late summer.
Something growers appreciate about this pear variety is that the fruit is delicious, even when it hasn’t ripened. The quality of the pears is the highest when the flesh is crisp and firm.
Summercrisp pears are showy with their chartreuse color blushed with a touch of red. Imagine the beautiful color of the pears peeking through the pretty flowers!
One downside to this variety is that it can be messy when the pears are allowed to drop onto walkways or the grass. That said, it’s best to harvest them as soon as they’re ready and clean them up once you’ve noticed they’ve dropped.
Growing Zones: 4 – 8
Average Size At Maturity: 15 – 20 ft tall with a 15 – 20 ft spread
Fruiting Season: Early-season
Available at: Nature Hills & Fast-Growing-Trees
2. Kieffer Pear (Pyrus communis ‘Kieffer’)
Kieffer pears are an American heirloom. I suppose we can call it a happy accident. In 1853, Peter Kiefer had a small nursery around Philadelphia where he grew Bartlett pears and imported Chinese Sand pears. A seedling sprouted with unusual foliage, and Peter decided to keep it; thus came the existence of the Kieffer pear.
Kieffer pears are a high-quality fruit perfect for eating fresh, making pear honey and preserves. Their golden yellow skin is blushed with crimson hues have crisp, juicy, coarse-textured flesh.
It’s an excellent variety for southern states since it tolerates hot climates, but it also grows well in cold regions. Kieffer pear trees are practically immune to fire blight, which often affects pear trees.
Kieffer pear trees are tall, making them a beautiful shade tree for any yard. The pears are best harvested while still hard, but you’ll want to give them a little time off the vine to ripen and soften.
Growing Zones: 4 – 10
Average Size At Maturity: 15 – 25 ft tall with a 5 – 10 ft spread
Fruiting Season: Late-season
Available at: Nature Hills & Fast-Growing-Trees
3. Luscious Pear (Pyrus communis ‘Luscious’)
If you love Bartlett pears but long for something sweeter and juicer, then consider growing Luscious pears. It’s often referred to as a Luscious dessert pear.
Luscious pears are a cross between Ewart and South Dakota E31 and were created in the 1950s. This variety matures early, is easy to care for, and has a disease resistance to fire blight.
This pear cultivar is adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions. However, they do require full sun. Before planting your latest pear tree, it’s a good idea to look around to choose a site with the tree’s mature size in mind.
Because of the size of this tree, it makes an excellent privacy tree for windows during the warmer months.
Growing Zones: 4 – 8
Average Size At Maturity: 25 – 30 ft tall with a 20 – 25 ft spread
Fruiting Season: Late season
Available at: Nature Hills & Fast-Growing-Trees
4. Olympic Giant Asian Pear (Pyrus serotina hybrid)
I love Asian pears, and this is one of my absolute favorite Asian varieties. They make excellent Asian pear pies, especially when I crumble some walnuts on top. Speaking of nuts, some incredible nut trees grow exceptionally well in zone 4.
Olympic Giant Asian Pears store well, and they ripen mid to late October. If you’re looking for large pears, you might consider this cultivar seeing as each pear often weighs a pound or more. These pears are extra juicy and crisp with sweet hints of caramel or butterscotch. They’re delicious eaten fresh, in pies, and make excellent cobblers.
Another thing I love about this variety is that they store for a long time and tend to hold their delicious flavor for up to 6 months when stored properly.
Other Common Names: Asian Pears, Olympic Giant, Korean Giant
Growing Zones: 4 – 8
Average Size At Maturity: 18 – 20 ft tall with an 8 – 10 ft spread
Fruiting Season: September
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees
5. Bosc Pear (Pyrus communis ‘Bosc’)
Bosc pears have that ‘pear shape,’ with a long curved stem and an elongated neck that gradually widens to a rounded base. Not only is their shape unique amongst other pears, but their color – a warm cinnamon brown with nice russeting over the skin’s surface- is also unique.
Bosc pears are incredibly popular when they’re in season, and they’re often found in most grocery stores. You can find them in the produce aisle from late September through April.
The Bosc variety is sweeter and more flavorful earlier in the ripening process than many other cultivars. The result is a complex flavor, juiciness, and sweetness comparable to honey. They’re best used before their flesh has completely softened.
Growing Zones: 4 – 9
Average Size At Maturity: 12 -18 ft tall with a 12 -18 ft spread
Fruiting Season: Late season
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
6. Flemish Beauty European Pear (Pyrus x ‘Flemish Beauty’)
Flemish Beauty pears are a hardy Belgian variety. They’re an excellent choice for anyone looking for cold-hardy zone 4 fruit trees. Fruits are medium to large in size with a round shape. The yellow skin has a beautiful red blush.
Flemish Beauty pears are excellent for fresh eating and drying or dehydrating. I know many of the trees on this list are popular, and Flemish Beauties are among some of the most popular cultivars.
These trees prefer full to a half-a-day of sun, along with well-drained soil. If you intend on growing Flemish Beauty pears, you’ll need another variety nearby for cross-pollination. Asian pear varieties are an excellent cross-pollination option. Growers can expect a heavy yield of about 50 pounds when the tree fully matures.
European varieties like the Flemish Beauty are disease-resistant and easy to grow. However, growers might experience occasional problems with Codling moths.
Other Common Names: Flemish Beauty
Growing Zones: 4 – 8
Average Size At Maturity: 15 – 20 ft tall with a 12 – 18 ft spread
Fruiting Season: Mid-season
Available at: Nature Hills
7. Clapp’s Favorite European (Pyrus communis ‘Clapp’s Favorite’)
Clapp’s Favorite European pears produce medium to large red-blushed golden fruits with ivory-white flesh. This variety is excellent for juicing, desserts, preserves, cooking, and fresh eating. The white petaled blossoms are highly fragrant.
This tree will do the trick if you’re hoping to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. It’s a highly ornamental cultivar with a 4-season interest for growers and passersby.
This pear cultivar is one of the oldest on this list, being cultivated since the 1860s. Clapp’s Favorite is one of the earliest pears to market, and they’re delicious eaten fresh. The large red oval fruits are kissed with hints of gold.
The flowers aren’t only beautiful but fragrant too. The blossoms are white, highlighted with picturesque gold and green centers. These pears are shapely and have attractive glossy green foliage that only enhances the beauty of the surrounding landscapes.
Growing Zones: 4 – 8
Average Size At Maturity: 20 – 30 ft tall with a 15 – 20 ft spread
Fruiting Season: Mid-season
Available at: Nature Hills
Hardy Pear Tree Varieties To Grow In Zone 4
Having seven cold-hardy pear varieties can make it challenging to choose from. I love the Olympic Giant, and seeing as it’s perfect for growing zones 4 through 8, it’s just right for me.
Whether you’re looking for fresh off-the-tree flavor or something to cook with, there’s something for everyone on this list of USDA zone 4 pear trees.
Knowing which USDA growing zone you’re in will help ensure that whatever you plant does well in your area.
Related Articles:
