SPECIFICATIONS:
- Projected height and spread: 15–20 ft. unpruned; easily maintained at 8–12 ft. with annual pruning
- Growth habit: Upright, moderately vigorous deciduous tree; semi-dwarf on OHxF rootstock
- Light requirements: Full sun; minimum 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily
- Fertilizer requirements: Low to moderate; apply a balanced fruit tree fertilizer or compost in early spring; avoid excess nitrogen, which promotes fire blight susceptibility
- Water requirements: 1–2 inches per week during the growing season; deep, infrequent irrigation once established; well-drained soil essential.
DESCRIPTION:
Warren is one of the finest dessert pears you can grow at home. Originating in Mississippi, it produces medium to large, long-necked fruit with pale green skin and a pleasing red blush. What sets Warren apart is its remarkably smooth, grit-free flesh — buttery, juicy, and packed with complex flavor. It's a good keeper and holds quality well in cool storage, with harvest running from mid-to-late August.
For Bay Area gardeners, Warren is a standout choice: it carries strong resistance to fire blight, the bacterial disease that can devastate susceptible pear varieties in California's mild, moist spring climate. Warren is self-fruitful, though planting a second pear variety nearby — such as Bartlett or Bosc — will improve fruit set. Trees respond well to summer pruning to keep them at a manageable backyard size. Plant in a full-sun location with well-draining soil and top-dress with compost each spring. Avoid overfertilizing with nitrogen, which can trigger excessive soft growth and increase disease risk. With good siting and modest annual care, Warren is a long-lived, low-maintenance tree that rewards Bay Area gardeners with some of the best-tasting pears around.
