However, the susceptibility of European pears to fire blight excludes them from all but far West Texas. Oriental hybrids include such well-known varieties as Orient and Kieffer. This type is well-adapted to much of Texas and accounts for most of the state's pears. Oriental hybrid pears include varieties that range from gritty to smooth, buttery textures. Some varieties have dessert or fresh eating quality that will rival the best European varieties, while the more coarse textured varieties, such as Kieffer, are used primarily for home processing, including canning, preserves, pickled pears, and baking.
Asian pears are relatively new to Texas and their adaptation is still undetermined.
Site and Soil Requirements Climatically, pears are adapted to all areas of Texas north of a line from Corpus Christi to Laredo as illustrated in Figure 1. More humid eastern portions of the state have severe problems with fire blight and growers there should only plant varieties with high blight tolerance. Click on image at right for larger view. Zone 1 Warren, Ayres, Magness, Maxine, Moonglow, Garber, LeConte, Monterrrey, Orient, Asian Pear Varieties Zone 2 Warren, Ayres, Magness, Orient, Asian Pear Varieties Zone 3 Not recommended Table 1. Pear variety recommendations for Texas.