Seckel Pear

The Seckel Pear is a small dessert pear that will ripen right on the tree. It’s thought to originally come from Pennsylvania in the early 1700’s. 

The specimen of Seckel we have was found growing on the campus of the historic Glenwood Resource Center (GRC). Opened in 1866 and once known as the Iowa Institution for Feeble-Minded Children, the GRC had its own orchard and greenhouses. Several pear and apple trees can still be found on the campus. The Seckel tree on the GRC campus appears to be approximately 30 to 40 years old. 

When fully ripened on the tree Seckel has a very sweet honey flavor. It’s a small snack sized pear but because of its sweetness it is also loved by wasps. Be careful when you’re picking! 

Ripens early to mid-September.