Southern Queen Pear Tree

Southern Queen Pear Tree is an old Southern pear variety valued for its large fruit, excellent flavor, dependable production, and strong adaptation to warm Southern growing conditions. This locally treasured pear originated in South Mississippi, although its exact parentage is unknown.

The large, bell-shaped pears develop beautiful russeted skin in shades of golden brown and bronze. When fully mature, the creamy-yellow flesh becomes tender, mellow, juicy, and flavorful. Southern Queen is especially good for fresh eating when properly ripened, and the large fruit is also useful for baking, canning, preserves, pear butter, pear honey, and old-fashioned Southern recipes.

Southern Queen is a good choice for backyard orchards, homesteads, farms, and edible landscapes in North Florida, the Florida Panhandle, South Alabama, and nearby Gulf Coast areas.

PLANT DETAILS

• Botanical name: Pyrus spp. ‘Southern Queen’
• Pear type: Southern pear selection
• Origin: South Mississippi
• Fruit size: Large; properly thinned fruit may approach one pound
• Fruit shape: Traditional bell-shaped pear
• Fruit color: Striking russet or bronzy-brown skin
• Flesh color: Creamy yellow
• Flavor: Sweet, aromatic, rich, and mellow when fully ripe
• Texture: Tender and smooth when fully mature
• Harvest season: August, depending on weather and location
• Bloom season: Early to midseason
• Mature size: Approximately 18–20 feet tall and 12–15 feet wide, depending on rootstock, pruning, and growing conditions
• Sun requirements: Full sun with at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight
• Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil
• Pollination: Requires another compatible early-blooming pear
• Disease resistance: Has shown excellent resistance to fire blight
• Best uses: Fresh eating, baking, canning, preserves, pear butter, pear honey, and edible landscapes

POLLINATION

Southern Queen should be planted with another compatible pear that blooms during the early part of the pear flowering season. A second variety helps provide dependable cross-pollination and better fruit production.

Best Pollinator Partners from Our Selection

• Hood Pear
• Flordahome Pear
• Orient Pear
• Pineapple Pear

These varieties normally bloom early enough to provide good overlap with Southern Queen. Actual bloom times may vary with winter temperatures, spring weather, and location.

Kieffer and LeConte generally bloom later and should not be relied upon as the only pollinator for Southern Queen.

FRUIT THINNING

Southern Queen can produce very large pears. When the tree carries a heavy crop, thinning the young fruit can improve fruit size and reduce stress on the branches.

After the danger of a late freeze has passed, remove excess fruit so the remaining pears are spaced approximately 4–6 inches apart. Proper thinning may allow individual pears to grow close to one pound under favorable conditions.

Young branches may need support when carrying a heavy crop.

HARVESTING AND RIPENING

Southern Queen pears generally ripen during August. Harvest the pears when they are mature but still slightly firm and beginning to develop their characteristic bronze-russet color.

Allow the fruit to finish ripening at room temperature. The flesh becomes softer, sweeter, and more mellow as the pear reaches full maturity.

Check ripeness by gently pressing near the neck of the pear. The fruit is ready to eat when the neck gives slightly under gentle pressure.

NORTH FLORIDA GROWING NOTE

Southern Queen originated in South Mississippi and is well suited to warm, humid Southern growing regions. It is a good pear choice for DeFuniak Springs, Walton County, North Florida, the Florida Panhandle, South Alabama, and nearby Gulf Coast areas.

Although a specific verified chill-hour requirement is not widely documented, its South Mississippi origin and long history of production indicate good adaptation to areas with mild Southern winters.

For the best results:

• Plant in full sun
• Choose fertile, well-drained soil
• Provide good air circulation around the tree
• Plant an early-blooming pollinator nearby
• Water regularly while the tree becomes established
• Thin heavy fruit crops to improve fruit size
• Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer
• Prune carefully to develop strong branches

Southern Queen has demonstrated excellent resistance to fire blight in established South Mississippi trees. However, resistant does not mean completely immune, so any blackened or wilted shoots should be removed promptly.

LOCAL PICKUP, LIMITED SHIPPING AND WHOLESALE

Most pear trees are available for local pickup at our nursery in DeFuniak Springs, Florida.

Limited shipping may be available for select smaller plants or trees. Please contact us before ordering if shipping is needed. Shipping charges are calculated separately.

Wholesale availability may be offered to landscapers, farms, garden centers, and other qualified buyers. Availability and minimum quantities may vary.

Advanced Nursery Growers
1911 McLeod Road
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435
Phone: (850) 391-2228
Email: info@advancednurserygrowers.com