'Sunrise' is a new pear (Pyrus communis L.) cultivar released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. It combines a high degree of resistance to fire blight with excellent fruit quality. The sources of resistance in the pedigree are the old American cultivar, 'Seckel', and NJ1, a P. communis ? P. pyrifolia hybrid. It matures in early August in the northern hemisphere, approximately two weeks before 'Bartlett' and one week before 'Clapp's Favorite', and is characterized by a storage potential and shelf life greater than the cultivar 'Clapp's Favorite'. Precocity and production were similar to 'Bartlett', as is average fruit weight. The cultivar is moderately resistant but not immune to pear scab, but it is susceptible to powdery mildew and Fabraea leaf spot. Fruit infection with Fabraea is minimal. -- Bell, R.L., Vanderzwet, T. 2010. International Horticultural Congress. p. 519 Aromatic, sweet to subacid flavor
o Very attractive, 20% red blush common
o Medium fruit size, productive tree
o Fire blight resistance equal to Seckel
o Early maturing: Harvest 2 to 3 weeks before Bartlett , just before Clapp s Favorite
o Stores 3 months without core breakdown
-- from R.L. Bell. 2008. Pear Cultivar Fact Sheet