Bartlett is one of the most widely-grown pear varieties, but confusingly is usually known as Williams or Williams Bon Chretien in Europe. The dual names reflect its fascinating history. It was discovered in the town of Aldermaston, England, in the 18th century, and came to the attention of a nurseryman, Mr Williams of Turnham Green - who recognised the variety had great potential and named it after himself. Samples were soon sent to the USA where, unlike many European pears of the era, it appeared very well suited to the climate and quickly became an important commercial variety. However the variety name became lost so a Boston nurseryman who was involved in propagating it, Bartlett, named it after himself.
Bartlett / Williams is not only very widely-grown, but has been involved in many breeding programmes and a huge number of subsequent varieties can claim it as an ancestor.
Bartlett pear identification images
All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.
USDA identification images for Bartlett
The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.
Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.
Offspring of this variety
- Beth
- Bristol Cross
- Gorham
- Harrow Crisp
- Kieffer
- Merton Pride
- Moonglow(distant descendant)
- Packham's Triumph
Visitor reviews
Tree register
United States
- Albany Appleguy in Castleton, NY
- Anton in Cumming, GEORGIA
- Brenda in Marion, IOWA
- Carolyn Drought in Franksville, WI
- Cynthia Shaw in Standish, ME
- David A Dawson in Solsberry, INDIANA
- David Black in Bentonville, ARKANSAS
- Dianne Giles in Henderson, IOWA
- Frances in CLINTON, WA
- George Paquin in CHELMSFORD, MA
- Holly in Rehoboth, MASSACHUSETTS
- Jeff Singleton in ALBION, MAINE
- Joel Reigel in Gardners, PA
- Judd Curran in MISSOULA, MONTANA
- KC in Littleton, COLORADO
- Larry Landis in CORVALLIS, OREGON
- Owen Witesman in SPRINGVILLE, UT
- Regina White in FAIRMONT, WV
- Richard Smith in Plymouth, MA
- Rob Bryant in Monticello, IN
- Robert Crandall in Capac, MICHIGAN
- Tia Miller in VANCOUVER, WA
- Tom Scampoli in NORTH PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND
United Kingdom
- Reach Community Orchard in Cambridge,
- Reach Community Orchard in Cambridge,
- Reach Community Orchard in Cambridge,
- Alex in Scourie, SUTHERLAND
- Andrew Freeth in TAVISTOCK, DEVON
- Anthony Payne in Bath,
- Colin Bowen in LONDON,
- Dave Woolcock in Preston, LANCASHIRE
- David Lumb in Old Buckenham, NORFOLK
- Deborah Kaufmann in Ashton Under Lyne,
- Edward Evans in MANNINGTREE, SUFFOLK
- Euan Cameron in LARBERT,
- Graeme Stockdale in Pilsley, Chesterfield, DERBYSHIRE
- Jason Marks in Bristol,
- John Back in Shanklin, ISLE OF WIGHT
- Lorena Fernandez in Bristol, NORTH SOMERSET
- Peter Revell in Hemel Hempstead, HERTS
- Rhiannon Harrington in Reading, BERKSHIRE
- Susan.Boothby@Gmail.Com in Edinburgh, SCOTLAND
- Tv15 in Basingstoke,
France
- Paul Kendall in Poupas, TARN-ET-GARONNE
Netherlands
- Cheuk A Lam in Amsterdam, NOORD-HOLLAND
Canada
- David G Anderson in Williamstown, ON
Australia
- a Bear in TOOLANGI, VIC
New Zealand
- Robert Mcbride in TAPANUI, OTAGO
India
- Jatin Fishta in Rohru, INDIA
- Rai Navneet in Kullu, HIMACHAL PRADESH
Spring blossom records for this variety
2021 season
- 25th April 2021 - tree owned by Joel in Gardners, United States
2014 season
- 10th May 2014 - tree owned by Albany in Castleton, United States
- 10th May 2014 - tree owned by Brenda in Marion, United States
2013 season
- 5th May 2013 - tree owned by Albany in Castleton, United States
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Harvest records for this variety
2013 season
- 1st week September 2013 - tree owned by Brenda in Marion, United States
Origins
- Species: Pyrus communis - Pear
- Originates from: Aldermaston, England, United Kingdom
- Introduced: 1770
- Developed by: Mr Wheeler or Mr Stair
- UK National Fruit Collection accession: 2001-099
Identification
- Country of origin: United Kingdom
- Period of origin: 1750 - 1799
- Fruit colour: Green - light
- Leaf colour: Green
- Popularity: Best sellers
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
- Flesh colour: Cream
- Fruit size: Average
- Awards: RHS AGM (former)
Using
- Picking season: Early
- Keeping (of fruit): 1 week
- Flavour quality: Good
- Cropping: Good
- Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
- Food uses: Eating fresh
- Picking period: early September
- Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
- Rootstock size class: Standard
- Rootstock % of standard: 100%
- Rootstock compatibility: European pear
- Rootstock compatibility: Medlar
Growing
- Gardening skill: Average
- Flowering group: 3
- Pollinating others: Average
- Ploidy: Diploid
- Vigour: Average vigour
- Bearing regularity: Regular
- Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
- Self-fertility: Partially self-fertile
- Other incompatibility: Williams pear group
- Support required: Free-standing
Climate
- Frost resistance of blossom: Good resistance
- Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 4 (-34C)
- Climate suitability: Temperate climates
- Climate suitability: Warm climates
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cold (< 20C / 67F)
Other qualities
- Disease resistance: Poor
- Powdery mildew: Very resistant
- Scab (Apple and Pear): Some susceptibility
- Woolly aphid: Some susceptibility
- Fire blight: Very susceptible
- Honey / Oak root fungus: Some resistance
- Black end / Hard end: Very resistant
- Pear decline: Some resistance
Where to buy trees
The following tree nurseries offer Bartlett pear trees for sale:
- Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (USA) United States
Bartlett pear trees - Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (UK) United Kingdom
Williams pear trees - Thomas Fruit Trees (EU) France
Williams pear trees
Where to buy fresh fruit
The following orchards grow Bartlett:
United States
Iowa
- Upstream Gardens & Orchard, Altoona
Montana
References
- The Book of Pears (2015)
Author: Morgan
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