My pears are the ones that are grown locally and known as cooking pears. The old timers cook them and make relish,
butter pear,pear sauce and pies.
There were several trees in a previous property that we lived on. When we got ready to move into our present property. I took a few cuttings and one rooted which is
our present tree. The limbs get so heavy with so many
pears that they sometimes break. The picture above was taken
a few months back while they were still green and small.
The pears on the tree are very big and juicy. I often give many to some elderly ladies in our church.
In the spring the tree is beautiful with white flowers.

Felix

Great pic Felix! Ill-Man, Lisa and others grow pears in zone 10, I don't know if they are suitable for your zone 9, but I betcha the fruit QUEEN Lisa will have a say as to what could work for you. Me, I am still trying to figure out my harlot pommegranate! lol

The old hard mishapen and crunchy pear is known as a hard pear, sand pear, but it is the pineapple peat. It is used primarily for making pear presevers, pear relish, pear cobbler, pear turnovers, pear pickles and for fresh eating. The pear is part of the Pyrus communis genus of pears and is considered a form of the orient pear group. It is very resistant to fireblight which kills a lot of pear varieties and is great for our ares in central Florida. Linda

so... anyone know where i can get one?

Sure! I bought all 8 of mine from these folks. All are doing well.

My husband LOVES Pears and will eat 1-2 every day. They are also scrumptious for cooking.

I have all the low-chill varieties, but mine are young and have not fruited yet. Our chill hours are also unreliable, which means some years the trees will not produce.

In zone 9, you should do well with Pears.

Lisa

Here is a link that might be useful: Pear Source

thanks, lisa! i should've known. i love pears, too. reading up on these hard pears, a lot of people don't like them to eat out of hand, but i find their flavor very good and the texture likable... it's not a mushy pear (i like mushy pears!), but it's super crisp... what do you think of the advice to by a pollinating set?

Definitely get another variety, or two(G).

You can trust the advice given on that website. I have 5 Pears planted on a long, narrow raised bed, and am toying with the idea of espaliering them. I have to spray mine, because the humidity causes fumgal issues. But it is a quick and easy job.

Lisa