Highland is the gold standard for pear storage, a large yellow dessert pear with light russetting that was bred specifically to bridge the gap between autumn harvest and winter holidays. Growing in zones 4 through 9, this tree reaches about 15 feet at maturity and produces heavily without demanding excessive vigor. The real treasure lies in what happens after you pick the fruit in early October: store these pears for a month, then pull them out to ripen on your counter through the end of the year, transforming them into exceptional eating fruit with remarkably smooth, rich flesh.
Full Sun
Moderate
4-9
180in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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Highland's greatest gift is its ability to store beautifully, developing superior quality only after weeks in cool storage followed by a slow ripen at room temperature. The flesh achieves a silky texture and concentrated flavor that you simply cannot get from a pear picked and eaten fresh off the tree. Trees are surprisingly hardy and reliably productive, making this a pear that earns its place through both reliability and the sheer pleasure of extending pear season well past autumn.
Highland is grown specifically as a storage and dessert pear. Unlike pears bred for fresh eating immediately after harvest, Highland develops its full sweetness and smooth texture only after storage and ripening indoors, making it the preferred choice for anyone who wants fresh pear flavor extending from October through December and beyond.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Plant bare-root pear trees in early spring while still dormant, or in fall in milder climates. Choose a location with full sun exposure and space trees appropriately for their mature 15-foot height. Ensure soil drains well to prevent root rot.
Pick Highland pears in early October when they've reached full size but before they soften on the tree. Harvest slightly early rather than waiting for the fruit to yield to pressure; this is critical for proper storage development. The pears should have a yellow skin with some russetting, and they'll be firm and green-tinged at pick time. After harvest, cool storage for about a month allows the flesh to develop its finest texture and sweetness before you bring them to room temperature to finish ripening.
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“Highland was developed as a storage pear with a specific mission: to provide home gardeners with fresh, quality fruit throughout the winter months. The variety emerged from deliberate breeding work focused on creating pears that would maintain exceptional eating quality after extended storage, allowing growers to celebrate the winter holidays with fruit they'd grown themselves.”