Might be Keifer. They are very late pears.

Joe:

Agree with Ace that the most common pear with that appearance would be a Kieffer. Many old-timers canned this pear. It's actually a European x Asian cross.

I have a mature Kieffer here (a mislabeled tree from Miller's that was supposed to be a Seckel), and the large and numerous pears hang on until early winter unless I remove them. When I do, they go to the compost pile.

So if it's big, hard, gritty and tasteless, it's a Kieffer.
Sorry Lucky.

Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA

LOL!

um... thanks... Don. lol

Oh well I dont have much into it. Maybe I will can it.

Any recommendations on a good pear to grow ? wis/IL border

At least pears are easy to graft.

I find the Keifers here (if I have it properly ID'd) to develope into a bland but pleasent pear towards the end of growing season in Z6. Obviously the extra sugar used in canning would give the pear greater mass appeal.

Joe, what is your zone. When do you want to harvest pears during the season- do you want to store them for a while? Do you like eating your pears soft or somewhat firm? You know- are you a Bartlett man or a Bosc man?

I was once given 40 lb of hard, gritty pears that must have been Kieffers. I made wine out of them. Dam that was good - and the grit settled right out. :-]