Comice Pear Tree

Description

Comice Pear Tree produces the luxurious dessert pear often reserved for holiday gift boxes and elegant cheese boards. Its round, short-necked fruit ripens greenish yellow, sometimes with a warm red blush, and develops exceptionally juicy flesh with a fine, creamy texture. The flavor is intensely sweet and aromatic, rich without losing the delicate perfume that makes a ripe pear special. Comice is best enjoyed fresh, where its melting texture can take center stage, but it also pairs beautifully with soft cheeses, nuts, and simple desserts. White spring blossoms add classic orchard beauty before the premium fruit begins to form. For gardeners who value eating quality above uniformity or shipping durability, Comice offers a memorable harvest—the kind of pear that turns a backyard tree into the source of a genuinely indulgent seasonal treat.
Comice grows semi-dwarf on OHxF333 rootstock and is suited to USDA zones 5–9, with a confirmed 600-hour chill requirement. In suitable climates, harvest generally spans mid-September through early October. Plant in full sun and well-drained soil, thin fruit clusters, and pick mature pears while firm so they can ripen to their creamy best indoors.
Comice can be self-fruitful in many western climates; provide a compatible European pear for reliable cropping elsewhere. The confirmed companion is Bartlett; Bosc is another orchard option.
Comice Pear Tree

Details

Fruit: Round, short-necked pears with greenish-yellow skin and possible red blush

Flavor and texture: Exceptionally sweet, aromatic, juicy, fine, and creamy

Best uses: Fresh eating, cheese boards, fruit plates, and simple desserts

Harvest: Mid-September to early October, with timing varying by region and season

USDA zones: 5–9

Chill hours: 600

Tree size: Semi-dwarf on OHxF333 rootstock

Pollination: Can be self-fruitful in many western climates; provide a compatible pear for reliable cropping elsewhere

Recommended companions: Bartlett or Bosc

Special care: Harvest firm and finish ripening indoors for melting texture

Something Special: Comice was developed by the Comice Horticole horticultural society in Angers, France, whose name the pear still carries.

Orchard Planning Resources
Bare Root Tree Selection Guide

How to Plant Bare Root Trees

Fruit and Nut Tree Characteristics

Tree Rootstock Characteristics Chart