Magness is a high quality late-season eating pear, developed by the USDA in the mid 20th century. It is a cross between Doyenne du Comice - generally considered the best-flavored of all dessert pears - and the well-regarded American pear, Seckel. As you might expect given that parentage, the flavor is very good, with the buttery melting flesh which is characteristic of the best European pears.
The pears should ripen about 3 weeks after Bartlett - which in most areas will be late September or early October. They should be picked before fully ripe, and then ripened indoors. They can also be stored in a cool place (or a fridge) for several months.
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If you do not hear from us by February you can contact us in June to pre-order for the following spring.
Like its relative, Comice, the blossom of Magness is not easy to pollinate, so for best results make sure another compatible pear tree is planted close by.
Although it is not a triploid variety, Magness has some triploid characteristics - it is quite vigorous, the fruits are relatively large, and it is also a poor pollinator of other pear varieties.
Magness is resistant to mildrew and scab and has very good fireblight resistance, making it a good choice for areas prone to this disease.
Advice on fruit tree pollination.
Magness is named after Dr. John R. Magness, who led the USDA apple and pear breeding programs in the 1930s - 1950s. It was developed from Comice and Seckel.
