Baldwin Pear is a dependable, low-chill Southern pear well suited to North Florida and other warm Southern growing areas. It produces attractive, nearly round pears that develop golden-yellow skin as they mature. The firm fruit has a pleasantly sweet, mild pear flavor and is useful for fresh eating, canning, preserves, baking, poaching, and other homemade recipes. Baldwin is especially valued in warm climates because it requires relatively little winter chill and has better disease resistance than many traditional European pears. UF/IFAS recommends Baldwin for North and Central Florida and reports approximately 150 chill hours, a mid-to-late March bloom, and a late-August through September harvest in Florida. Mississippi State also considers Baldwin an excellent low-chill pear for coastal areas, although harvest dates can vary by location and season. Plant Details • Botanical name: Pyrus hybrid ‘Baldwin’• Pear type: Southern hybrid pear• Plant type: Deciduous fruit tree• Mature height: Approximately 15–25 feet, depending on rootstock and pruning• Mature width: Approximately 12–20 feet• Sun requirements: Full sun, preferably six or more hours daily• Recommended growing area: North and Central Florida• USDA zones: Generally Zones 7–9• Chill requirement: Approximately 150 chill hours• Bloom season: Mid- to late spring bloom period; usually during March in North Florida• Harvest season: Usually late August through September in North Florida• Fruit size: Medium to large• Fruit shape: Nearly round• Fruit color: Golden yellow when mature• Fruit texture: Firm• Flavor: Mild and pleasantly sweet• Best uses: Fresh eating, canning, preserves, baking, poaching, and cooking• Pollination: Plant another compatible pear for dependable production• Disease resistance: Moderate resistance to fire blight and pear leaf spot Pollination Information UF/IFAS lists Baldwin as requiring cross-pollination. UGA describes it as at least partially self-fruitful, which means a lone tree may occasionally produce some fruit. However, another compatible pear should be planted nearby for a larger and more dependable crop. Best Pollinator Partners • Hood Pear• Flordahome Pear• Kieffer Pear UGA places Baldwin, Hood, and Flordahome in pollination group A. Kieffer is listed in groups A and B, making it another compatible choice when flowering periods overlap. Hood and Flordahome normally bloom earlier, while Kieffer blooms later. Because Baldwin flowers during the middle to latter part of March in North Florida, actual overlap may vary with winter temperatures and spring weather. North Florida Growing Note Baldwin’s low chill requirement makes it a good choice for North Florida, the Florida Panhandle, and similar warm Southern climates. However, low-chill pears can flower early enough to be injured by a late freeze. Avoid planting the tree in a low area where cold air settles. Plant Baldwin in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil and adequate space for air circulation. Florida pear trees perform best on suitable pear rootstocks and should not remain in areas that stay wet after heavy rain. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer and severe pruning. Both can encourage tender, fast-growing shoots that are more vulnerable to fire blight. Pick Baldwin pears when they are mature but still firm and beginning to turn golden yellow. Allow them to finish ripening indoors for better flavor and texture. Pears generally develop better quality when harvested before becoming completely soft on the tree. Local Pickup & Limited Shipping Local pickup is available for most plants and trees at our nursery in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. Limited shipping may be available for select trees, liners, and smaller plants in 3-gallon containers or smaller. Shipping availability depends on the plant variety, size, quantity, destination, and packaging requirements. Shipping charges are calculated separately. Please contact us before ordering if shipping is needed to confirm that the plant can be shipped and to receive the current shipping cost. Advanced Nursery Growers LLC1911 McLeod RoadDeFuniak Springs, FL 32435Phone: 850-391-2228Email: [email protected]: www.AdvancedNurseryGrowers.com Wholesale pricing is available for qualified nurseries. Please contact Advanced Nursery Growers for current availability and wholesale pricing.
