The Kieffer pear is an heirloom pear that produces big, juicy pears. Kieffer pears are used for canning and preserves. They must be fully ripened on the tree to avoid getting pears with a gritty texture. Kieffer pear trees are extremely heat tolerant. Ripens October to November. Good keeper. Resistant to many common pear diseases. Self-fruitful, but needs another variety for best results (such as Bartlett, Shinseiki, Orient, Pineapple, Ayers, 20th Century, Moonglow, wild pear). Sometimes used to attract wildlife. 400 chill hours. Zones 5-9.