Unique Features: The Bartlett pear is one of the best known and most popular pear varieties and it is somewhat self-fruitful but the fruit will be more plentiful with a pollinator. The Bartlett pear originated from a chance seedling found growing in Washington in 1938. It is an early season pear with medium to large, yellow-green fruits that mature from Mid-August through September. The fruit is best picked when it is mature but not fully ripe and left to ripen off of the tree, though it can be eaten early when the flesh is crunchy. As the fruit ripens, the color changes to a more solid yellow with brown freckles and eventually develops a red blush. Then the smooth white flesh is juicy and very sweet. Left to ripen on the tree most common or European pears will build up lignin, which gives the fruits a gritty, grainy texture. The Bartlett Pear is excellent for fresh eating and superior for canning.