Seckel pear

The Seckel is said to be named after the Pennsylvania farmer who first introduced it in the late 18th century.^[1] It was one of the varieties planted at Monticello by Thomas Jefferson, who said it "exceeded anything I have tasted since I left France, and equalled any pear I had seen there." His high regard for the Seckel was shared by the eminent horticulturalist A. J. Downing, who rated its flavor above even European pear varieties.^[2]

The Seckel pear tree is relatively small, reaching a height of 15-20 feet and width of about 10 feet.^[3] It has light grey bark and resembles an apple tree.^[4] Its white flowers bloom in mid-Spring.^[3] The tree is cold-hardy, frost-resistant, and resistant to fire blight.^[4]

The Seckel is a winter pear, harvested in the fall, which can be stored for about 5 months. The fruit is very sweet and crunchy, with a coarser grain than most European varieties.^[5] Compared to most other pears, they are very small, less than 3" in length and width.^[4]