Harrow Crisp pear tree

Pyrus communis 'Harrow Crisp'

• Check pollinators >

• Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
• Pollination group: 3

Harrow Crisp is an attractive early-season pear.  It ripens at the same time as Bartlett, and has a similar mild sweet flavor, but the fruit size is slightly larger and the yellow skin with red / orange blush is considerably more attractive than Bartlett.

It is usually eaten fresh, but can also be used for baking.

Harrow Crisp was developed specifically to be resistant to fireblight. 

Harrow Crisp pear trees for sale

You can pre-order for spring 2025

• Semi-dwarf 1-year bare-root tree $38.95
  Mature height: 8ft-12ft after 10 years
  Semi-dwarf rootstock
  

  Out of stock
  

How to grow

Harrow Crisp is in most respects an ideal backyard pear tree - easy to grow, productive, very cold-hardy, and resistant to fireblight.

Its one drawback is that (like most pears) it is not self-fertile.  Furthermore, it will not reliably cross-pollinate with Bartlett or its many close relatives. 

Advice on fruit tree pollination.

History

Harrow Crisp (also known as AC Harrow Crisp) was developed in the 1970s at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research station in Harrow, Ontario. As with many modern varieties the parentage is complex, but one of its immediate parents is Bartlett, and the other parent is also closely related to Bartlett.  It can therefore be considered an improved Bartlett.

Harrow Crisp characteristics

• Gardening skillAverage
• Self-fertilityNot self-fertile
• Pollination group3
• Pollinating othersAverage
• Picking seasonEarly
• UsesEating freshCulinary
• Keeping (of fruit)2-3 weeks
• General resistanceGood
• FireblightVery resistant
• Cold hardiness (USDA)Zone 5 (-29C)
• Summer maximum temperaturesWarm (25-30C / 76-85F)
• Country of originCanada
• Period of origin1950 - 1999
• Flesh colourCream
• Fruit colorGreen / YellowOrange flush

Similar varieties

• 
  Bartlett
  A classic English pear, easy to grow, and a good flavor.