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Pear variety

Seckel

Also known as Sugar Pear

The short answer

Seckel requires 500 chill hours[1] and grows in USDA zones 5–8[2]. It needs a pollination partner[3].

Growing facts

Seckel growing facts
Chill requirement500 chill hours[1] (nursery figure)
HardinessUSDA zones 5–8[2]
PollinationNeeds a pollination partner, bloom group 2[3]
Harvest windowAugust[1]
Years to bearing4–6 years (typical for pears)[4]
AppearanceSmall, yellowish-brown; fine-grained, smooth, sweet and juicy flesh[2]
Seckel pearSpecies illustration — no historical watercolor exists for this cultivar

Pollination partners

Seckel blooms in group 2. The closest bloom-time matches make the most reliable partners:

Show 10 more compatible varieties

Notes

  • Self-fruitful in most climates of the Western U.S.; elsewhere pollenized by Bosc, D'Anjou, or other pear, but not Bartlett.[1]
  • Considered self-fruitful in warm climates, but may not be in the North.[3]
  • Fairly resistant to fire blight.[5]

A year with your Seckel

When the work happens for a pear in USDA zone 7, anchored to typical frost dates.

Months for pruning, thinning, spray-timing windows, and harvest for Pear in zone 7
TaskJFMAMJJASOND
Prune———————————
Thin——————————
Spray timing———————
Harvest—————————
Care——————————

See the full month-by-month pear calendar for zone 7 →

Can I grow Seckel where I live?

Check the verdict for a few regions, or your exact ZIP:

Growing a Seckel? Get its care calendar for your exact ZIP code, with email reminders.

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Questions

How many chill hours does Seckel need?
Seckel needs 500 chill hours.
What hardiness zones suit Seckel?
Seckel grows in USDA zones 5–8.
Is Seckel self-pollinating?
No — Seckel needs a compatible pollination partner nearby.

Sources

  1. [1] Dave Wilson Nursery. Seckel pear — variety specifications — accessed July 2026
  2. [2] NC State Extension (NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox). Pyrus communis 'Seckel' — accessed July 2026
  3. [3] Burnt Ridge Nursery. European pear pollination chart — accessed July 2026
  4. [4] Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. How soon will a newly planted fruit tree begin to bear fruit? (Yard and Garden FAQ) — accessed July 2026
  5. [5] Virginia Cooperative Extension (Virginia Tech). Growing Pears in Virginia (VCE 422-017) — accessed July 2026