Williams' Bon Chrétien / Bartlett

Taste

Susceptibility & resistance

Parentage

Zufallssämling

Pollination

self-sterile – needs a pollinator variety

Given in thirds of a month (early / mid / late) for the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate; altitude and season shift them.

Fruit

Very juicy, soft and melting, harmoniously sweet-sour with a pronounced muscat-like aroma. Hard if picked too early, mealy if too late.

Growth

First medium, later weak growth, not wind-firm until tree-ripeness. Top quality only on weak rootstocks.

Yield

Comes early into high and regular bearing.

Notes

For south-facing home gardens and wall espalier; too scab-prone for meadow orchards. Needs warm, nutrient-rich, permeable soils with higher heat needs, up to 350 m, mid-late flowering. Tree-ripe late August to mid September, pick about 10 days early when turning yellow. Natural store 10-14 days, cold store 2-3 months. World-famous distilling pear (Williams brandy).

Care

Pick about 10 days before tree-ripeness once the fruit turns yellow. Choose a weak rootstock. Plan scab protection and codling moth monitoring; handle the bruise-sensitive fruit gently.