Kieffer Pear Tree

Pyrus communis 'Kieffer'

Nature Hills Nursery

Fire Blight Resistant Kieffer Pear Thrives Where Other Pears Fail
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 4-9
Grows 15-20 ft Tall, 12-15 ft Wide
Showy White Blooms in Late Spring
Top Pick for Flowering Specimen in Edible Gardens

$92⁶⁹

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Plant Size

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Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Plant your Kieffer Pear in a spot that gets at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Full sun ensures the best fruit production and helps prevent fungal issues by drying off morning dew quickly.
Soil: These trees are adaptable but perform best in well-drained, slightly acidic soil. If you have heavy clay or sandy soil, amend it with compost or organic matter to improve drainage and moisture retention, ensuring the roots don't sit in standing water.

Watering Requirements

During the first year, water your tree deeply once a week, or more often during extreme heat, to help the root system establish. Once established, Kieffer Pears are moderately drought-tolerant, but consistent watering during the growing season is crucial for plump, juicy fruit; inconsistent moisture can lead to fruit drop or smaller pears.

Pruning Tips

Prune your pear tree in late winter while it is still dormant, before new growth begins. Focus on removing dead, damaged, or crossing branches to open up the canopy for better air circulation and light penetration. This technique encourages fruiting on spurs and keeps the tree healthy by reducing disease pressure.

Fertilizer Needs

Feed your tree in early spring just as new growth appears with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or a formula specific to fruit trees. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the growing season, as this can push soft, leafy growth that is susceptible to winter damage and fire blight.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Flowering, Edible, Self-pollinating, Ornamental Berries/Fruit, Heat Tolerant, Attracts pollinators
Hardiness Zone	4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Sunlight	Full sun
Height	15-20 ft
Width	12-15 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Growth Rate	Moderate
Blooms In	Spring
Flower Color	White
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Botanical Name	Pyrus communis 'Kieffer'
Species	communis
Cultivar	Kieffer
Class	Magnoliopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, CA, HI, ID, MT, OR, PR

Ornamental & Heat Tolerant - Kieffer Pear Tree!

Ornamental Winter Pear
Golden Yellow Skinned With Occasional Blush
Crisp & Juicy White Flesh
Late Blooming & Late Harvest
Fragrant White Blooms
Incredible for Pollinators
Easy Care & Heat Tolerant
Glossy Green Foliage
Rounded Mature Shape
Bronze Fall Color
Use for Fresh Eating, Canning, Baking & Preserves
Partly Self-Fertile But Larger Yield With Two Trees
Fire-Blight & Disease Resistant
300-400 Chill Hours

According to old folklore, having a pear tree in your yard is a way to draw good luck to your home, and the Kieffer will certainly provide a lucky bounty of fruit for you to enjoy. You can expect that bounty to arrive in late September and continue into October.

The Kieffer Pear Tree (Pyrus 'Kieffer') is a highly ornamental, fruit-bearing tree. Producing large, golden-yellow skinned fruit, with an occasional crimson blush. The white flesh has a crisp, coarse texture and is deliciously eaten right off the tree. Juicy and sweet, the Kieffer Pear is especially prized for its uses in a variety of culinary dishes, including preserves and sauces.

The Kieffer Pear is certainly a sumptuous treat, but also an attractive tree for your yard. Spring brings fragrant flowers in delicate tiny white blossoms, an elegant exhibition of floral perfection for your landscape. Bees and butterflies will love it!

An unexpected hybrid of a European and an Oriental Pear, the large yellow fruit tolerates hot climates where it excels in the heat. The pears themselves are ripe in late and store in a cool location well.

How to Use Kieffer Pear Tree In The Landscape

There's nothing quite like the sight of the yellow-green fruit dangling from the tree, ready to be picked and enjoyed.

Plant one in the front yard as a seasonal interest specimen, or start your own small orchard by planting several. They are amazingly easy to grow and will provide you with years of beauty and bounty.

Self-fruitful, you’ll not need a second tree to get a fantastic crop of these pears however if you do plant more than one Kieffer, you’ll get a vastly larger crop per tree. If you have no room for two trees, try this high-density planting trick in our Garden Blog!

#ProPlantTips For Care

Fruit trees require full sun for the most vigorous growth and best harvest. Provide at least 6 hours of sunlight per day, favoring the drying power of the morning sun. Hardy in USDA growing zones 4-9, be sure to site your tree in an area with great air circulation.

Water regularly and provide consistent moisture during summer, fruiting and in times of drought to best protect your investment. Be sure to plant in enriched, loamy, well-drained soils. A generous layer of mulch helps retain soil moisture as well as insulate the root system from heat and chill.

Your Kieffer is a variety that won't take too much of your time as it's an easy pear tree to grow and adaptable to many conditions. It is pest and disease resistant and tolerates heat and drought. The Kieffer is even a long-lived fruit tree.

Situate in an area that is protected from frost pockets and with good air circulation. Prune to keep an open canopy so that both sunlight and airflow reach the interior. Head over to our Garden Blog for more Fruit Tree Planting, Fruit Tree Pruning and Fruit Tree Care tips and tricks can be found!

The Kieffer Pear is beautiful, easy to care for and will provide delicious fruit for many years. It's certainly a terrific choice as a fruit tree for your home. Order your own fantastic Kieffer Pear Tree today from NatureHills.com!

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Frequently Asked Questions

How cold hardy is the Kieffer Pear Tree, and can it survive temperatures down to -20°F?

The Kieffer Pear Tree requires 300-400 chill hours and is heat tolerant, but specific cold hardiness zones aren't listed in the available information. Most pear varieties handle -10°F to -20°F depending on the zone. Check your local hardiness zone and consider the tree's heat tolerance focus when selecting placement.

What type of soil does the Kieffer Pear Tree prefer, and does it tolerate clay or sandy soil?

Kieffer Pear Trees adapt to various soil types including clay and sandy soils, though they prefer well-draining conditions. Their heat tolerance and easy-care nature make them forgiving of less-than-perfect soil. Shop at Nature Hills for this resilient variety.

How much space do I need between Kieffer Pear Trees for planting?

Space Kieffer Pear Trees 15-20 feet apart for optimal growth and air circulation. While they're partly self-fertile, planting two trees with proper spacing will give you larger harvests. This distance prevents overcrowding as they mature into their rounded shape.

What are the watering and care requirements after planting a Kieffer Pear Tree?

Kieffer Pear Trees are exceptionally easy to grow and heat tolerant once established. Water deeply weekly during the first growing season, then reduce frequency as the tree matures. Apply mulch around the base and prune in late winter for best fruit production.

Are your Kieffer Pear Trees shipped bare-root or in containers/pots?

Kieffer Pear Trees are shipped bare-root during dormant season (late fall through early spring) for best establishment. Container plants are available for extended planting seasons. Shop at Nature Hills for current availability and optimal shipping timing for your zone.

What is the actual height measurement of the tree (from soil line, excluding pot)?

The product description doesn't specify the mature height for Kieffer Pear Trees. Most standard Kieffer pears typically reach 15-20 feet tall with a rounded canopy shape. Check the specific variety details on the product page for exact mature dimensions before planting.

Kieffer Pear Tree

Pyrus communis 'Kieffer'