The only American pear still grown commercially. Originally from New York and written about in late 1700’s, this variety was offered by Gillet starting in 1882. Small fruit with a chubby, round body, small neck, and short stem. Skin is olive green, frequently exhibits dark maroon blush that sometimes covers the entire surface of the pear. Bite size Seckel’s are exceptionally sweet, sometimes called sugar or candy pears. Best flavor. Perfect for lunch boxes or bags, particularly for children who love their sweet flavor. Small enough to be canned whole. A half of a Seckel can be a beautiful, tasty plate garnish. Excellent for juice and cider! Ripe Sept.- Oct. Can be kept through February. Tree is hardy, self fertile and very fireblight and coddling moth resistant. Very frost and rain hardy blooms ensure consistent crops. The tree grows upright rather than wide.

The grandmother tree grows on the English Ranch, a historic farm from the late 1800’s near North Columbia on the San Juan Ridge, Nevada County at 3000’. North Columbia was a booming hydraulic mining town, and the English Ranch was a prime supplier of fruits, nuts and beef in the day. In 2012 and 2014, during the drought, this tree bore more than 200 pounds of blemish free, great fruit!