Hendre Huffcapp is a European perry pear bred for the singular purpose of making exceptional single-varietal perry cider. This upright heirloom cultivar ripens in October and thrives in hardiness zones 4-9, reaching a mature height of 15 feet. What sets it apart from dessert pears is its precise balance of tannin and acidity, the chemical backbone that transforms ordinary pear juice into a complex, cellar-worthy drink. If you're serious about perry production, this is the variety that demands a spot in your orchard.
Full Sun
Moderate
4-9
180in H x ?in W
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High
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Hendre Huffcapp exists for one purpose: perry cider of genuine quality. The fruit itself is deliberately tart and tannic, not meant for fresh eating but for the fermentation bottle, where those sharp edges become sophistication. Its extremely upright growth habit makes it efficient to train and manage, and the October ripening window gives you a clear harvest window without confusion. You'll need an early-blooming European pear as a pollinizer, so plan accordingly when choosing your companions.
Hendre Huffcapp fruit is harvested exclusively for perry production. The high tannin and acidity content makes the juice particularly suited to fermentation, where these sharp qualities develop into the dry, complex flavors characteristic of quality perry cider. Home producers and small orchardists value single-varietal perrys for their distinctive terroir, and this variety delivers that character consistently.
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Plant bare-root whips in early spring or fall when the tree is dormant. Choose a location with full sun exposure and well-draining soil. Space trees 15-20 feet apart to allow the upright canopy room to develop. Ensure an early-blooming European pear pollinizer is within flight distance of bees, ideally 100 feet or less.
Harvest fruit in October when fully mature. For perry production, pick when the fruit reaches full size and the background color shifts from green to yellow. Unlike dessert pears, these fruits should be fully ripe on the tree; press them gently, they'll yield slightly to pressure when ready. Collect fruit in bins and transport carefully to avoid bruising, which can introduce unwanted wild yeasts into the fermentation.
The extremely upright growth habit of Hendre Huffcapp means it requires minimal structural pruning. Focus instead on removing any crossing branches, dead wood, or branches that grow inward toward the center of the canopy. Prune in late winter while the tree is dormant. Avoid heavy heading cuts, which will create dense regrowth that crowds the canopy.
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“Perry pears have been cultivated in Europe for centuries, particularly in the West Country of England and parts of France and Spain, where they became the foundation of regional cider traditions. Hendre Huffcapp carries that heritage directly, named for the historic perry-producing regions where such varieties were selected and refined over generations. These heirloom pears were never bred for the fresh fruit market; instead, European growers deliberately chose and preserved trees that made distinctive, balanced ciders. The variety survives today because home orchardists and small producers continue to value the complexity it brings to perry.”