Deer Orchard™ Starter Pack | Zone 6

This stately deciduous Asian oak with long, jagged-edged glossy leaves produces decent crops of acorns at an earlier age than many of our native species, and often they will drop earlier in the fall as well. Acorn production only become heavier and more reliable with age. It is so prolific that there is some concern of this non-native species naturalizing, so best not planted in close proximity to ecologically sensitive sites. It requires well-drained growing conditions that tend to be acidic to neutral, and not recommended for alkaline soil or poorly-drained sites.

A very special selection that will be of great interest for wildlife food plots due to its later-than-typical fruiting. Discovered and trialed by Dr. James Kroll (aka “Dr. Deer”) from Stephen F. Austin State University it is invaluable for providing late fall fruit when little else is available. Large clusters of small fruit characterize this selection. Self-fertile but increased fruit set is likely with the presence of another pear cultivar nearby, and can be combined with our other earlier-fruiting selections to have a long season of fruit availability.

As can be expected from a tree naturally occurring in central and west Texas and into Mexico, this small tree is exceptionally tolerant of extreme heat, low humidity, drought and poor soil conditions. In southeast Texas it also occurs in more humid sandy ridges overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Appearing nothing like the American Persimmon, this species produces silver dollar sized fruits that are jet black inside and out yet are surprisingly delicious even for humans. It starts out as a dense, multi-stemmed shrub with small olive-green leaves, and with size the smooth, exfoliating bark begins to take on attractive silver, grey and white tones. When planted outside of its native range, it will prosper best in hot, exposed, well-drained sites…perfect for sites that would be difficult for most other trees. Being dioecious, male and female individuals are required for fruit production so several of our unsexed plants sited near each other will increase the odds that both sexes are present.

Of hybrid origin, Kieffer Pear has harder fruits than Bartlett but the deer happily consume them with no problem. This selection is more resistant to fire blight and therefore a better choice over the earlier- fruiting Bartlett Pear in areas that experience warm, wet spring weather, especially in humid areas along the gulf coast where the disease can be an issue. Self-fertile but enjoy an even more reliable pollination/fruit set by planting another pear selection nearby, such as the later-fruiting Dr. Deer Pear that we offer for an extended season of sweet deer treats.