Magness Pear

Moderately vigorous spreading tree. Self-sterile triploid, sterile pollen, cannot pollinate other varieties but receptive to pollen from almost all other European pear varieties. Requires pollinizer, needs another pear tree nearby to fruit. Slow to bear, addressed by using OHxF rootstocks and spreading young limbs. Mature trees productive if pollination provided.

Blooms midseason. Medium-sized fruit, oval shape, lightly russeted. Dark rich yellow covered with light russet. Almost immune to shoot and flower infection by fire blight (trunks and scaffolds can be infected through wounds). Also resistant to scab and mildew. Soft juicy dessert pear almost free of grit cells, thicker fruit skin reduces insect damage. Excellent flavor and texture similar to Comice. Sweet aromatic honeyed buttery flesh with no grit, rich melting quality. Ripens late season, about week to three weeks after Bartlett (September in New York). Can ripen to perfection while hanging on tree. Stores for months.

Released by USDA in 1960s. When pear experts discuss fireblight resistant cultivars, Magness undoubtedly tops the list. Proven over decades to be nearly immune to disease.