Potomac Pear Tree

Description

Potomac Pear Tree brings modern disease-resistance breeding to a fruit with the buttery texture and balanced flavor expected from a fine European pear. Its light-green, glossy pears contain fine flesh with mild aroma and a pleasing subacid character that keeps the sweetness lively. The fruit is excellent fresh and equally useful for salads, desserts, preserves, and cheese plates. Potomac is especially valued for strong resistance to fire blight, helping gardeners in susceptible regions grow a high-quality pear with less anxiety. Developed from Moonglow and Beurré D’Anjou through work by the USDA and Ohio State University, it combines practical orchard performance with real dessert quality. White spring blossoms and a handsome crop make it attractive as well as productive. For growers seeking a dependable pear that reflects thoughtful American breeding, Potomac is an unusually sensible and flavorful choice.
Plant in full sun and well-drained soil, water consistently while establishing, and prune during dormancy for airflow and light. Harvest European pears mature but firm and finish ripening indoors. Because Potomac does not appear on the confirmed characteristics sheet, zone, chill-hour, harvest-date, and rootstock specifications are omitted pending verification.
Existing product information describes Potomac as self-fruitful, but another compatible European pear can improve pollinator activity and may strengthen fruit set. Consider Bartlett or D’Anjou.
Potomac Pear Tree is suited to USDA zones 5–8 and requires about 600 chill hours. Harvest is typically late August to early September, with timing varying by region and season.
Potomac Pear Tree

Details

Fruit: Light-green European pears with smooth, glossy skin

Flavor and texture: Fine, buttery, mildly aromatic, and gently subacid

Best uses: Fresh eating, salads, desserts, preserves, and cheese plates

Harvest: Late August to early September, with timing varying by region and season

USDA zones: 5–8

Chill hours: About 600 chill hours

Pollination: Self-fruitful; another compatible pear may improve set

Recommended companions: Bartlett or D’Anjou

Special care: Prune for airflow and harvest mature fruit firm for indoor ripening

Something Special: The USDA named Potomac for the river near its Beltsville, Maryland, breeding program.

Orchard Planning Resources
Bare Root Tree Selection Guide

How to Plant Bare Root Trees

Fruit and Nut Tree Characteristics

Tree Rootstock Characteristics Chart