These pears have done very well at Rod McIver’s orchard off Rose Crossing in Kalispell, MT, where temperatures reached -35°F on 1/12/24. Summercrisp showed no damage at these temps and has survived even colder conditions.

Tree Growth and Characteristics

The tree is upright to spreading, fairly precocious, and very well spurred. It's considered an excellent pollenizer for early-ripening pears and has good resistance to fireblight.

Fruit Quality and Hardiness Zones

The fruit is medium-sized and best eaten when crisp. Summercrisp is hardy well into Zone 2, down to at least -45°F. However, Alaska growers in Fairbanks have not had success with these, as they’re hardy, but not quite to -45°F or colder. For that, we recommend the Russian pears, which we won’t have available until Spring 2027, grafted onto Ussurian pear.

Tree Sizes and Rootstock

These trees come in different sizes and are grafted onto OHxF87, which is also hardy to roughly -45°F.

Image courtesy of University of Minnesota link