Fire blight–resistant, fresh-market European dessert pear with long storage potential. Origin: USDA-ARS, Kearneysville, WV, by R. Bell. Sheldon × US62563-004; crossed 1970; selected 1981; evaluated for fruit quality, fire blight resistance, and productivity in replicated trials by USDA-ARS, Washington State University, Oregon State University, Michigan State University, Cornell University, and Clemson University; named and released 2014; source of fire blight resistance from Barseck. Tree: precocious and high yielding; blooms with Bartlett and ~4 d after Anjou; resistance to fire blight moderate; susceptible to powdery mildew, scab, and Fabraea leaf spot (Diplocarpon mespili); recommended as a fresh-market pear for both commercial and home orchards. Fruit: size medium, 77 mm long × 71 mm wide; stems uniform in diameter, 29 mm long × 3 mm diameter, slightly clubbed at base, upright or occasionally oblique; cavity acute, 1 to 2 mm deep; basin wide (17-25 mm) and shallow (2-6 mm); calyx convergent; skin smooth, waxy with a glossy finish, yellow-green with 25-50% orange-red blush on sun side; flesh creamy white with little grit, comparable to Bartlett or Anjou; harvest early September, 1-2 weeks after Bartlett in West Virginia and Oregon; texture fine, similar to Bartlett, requires at least 3 weeks of cold storage, ripening to either a soft buttery or firm crunchy texture depending on storage conditions; lasts for at least 28 weeks in cold storage without core breakdown or superficial scald; can also be eaten immediately after harvest without softening, for a crisp, juicy texture; flavor sweet and mildly aromatic; similar to Bartlett in appearance and flavor.
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