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Thanks to Peaceful Valley Farm and Garden Supply (originally started by our founder Amigo Bob Cantisano), a collection of some of our favorite species and varieties will be available for pre-sale through their website beginning the 2024/25 Bareroot Season 

November 11, 2024 

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The SOLD OUT Varieties listed below are for informational purposes only, ones we have sold over the years, and are the result of our passionate searches throughout Northern California, the Sierra Nevada and Western States to re-discover the historic, agricultural, living library still in existence. These trees and plants, left over from the 1800’s and early 1900’s Gold Rush era, were discovered on historic mining camps, ranches and homesteads and have become climate resilient with no human attention for the last 100 plus years. They give the best fruit and nuts in conditions that most fruit and nut trees cannot endure with large annual temperature variations.

These  grandmother trees have learned to thrive under the most harsh conditions, and with uncertain weather patterns, we want to make them available to growers, gardeners and communities throughout the West Coast.

We have personally found these trees and have taken cuttings directly from the 100+ year old grandmother trees that still cling to life in ghostly, historic orchards. The Felix Gillet Institute trees are very rare, exclusive plants – some may have only just been rediscovered.

95% of plants available during the 1800s are no longer available today.  We are saving what is left before they die. 

 You can become a Mother Orchard Supporter and help us in our efforts to discover more rare, historical trees and care for our collection of over 250 trees.

Ten of these varieties will be available through Peaceful Valley Farm and Garden Supply this year in our 2024/25 Collection. 

Thank you for all your Support!

Kieffer Pear (Bear Pear)

Kieffer Pear (Bear Pear)

Store/Pears
SKU 00117
$0.00
Sold out
Product Details

Just as it begins to ripen, this very large pear has crisp flesh like an Asian pear, but as it matures to a deep yellow, the flesh becomes melting like a Bartlett -- best of both worlds. It begins ripening at the end of September and hangs on into November at 2500'. It seems to be self-fruitful, but likely it will be more productive with another variety planted near it. The mother trees are very vigorous and healthy, producing large harvests, annually. These are the largest, healthiest and heaviest producing pear variety consistently almost every year. It is a true permaculture plant, producing more food per tree than any tree we have seen. Codling moth resistant, fire blight resistant and the healthiest old pear trees we have found! The Kieffer pear was a chance cross between a European and Asian pear on Peter Kieffer's farm near Philadelphia in 1876.

The grandmother trees grow on two properties, less than 2 miles from Felix Gillet's former nursery in Nevada City, CA. Nevada City was a bustling place in the late 1800s, known as the Queen of the Northern Mines, with much agriculture to feed the miners. We have found many Felix Gillet trees in this community, likely due to the nearly 100 years of continuous nursery operation. Felix grew many of the trees still thriving in and around Nevada City.
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Kieffer Pear (Bear Pear)
Store/Pears
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