Hello Sal,

No, Bartlett pears in Michigan should be harvested well before the end of October—typically from late August to mid-September. Waiting until after a light frost in late October risks poor fruit quality.

Bartlett pears ripen off the tree, and if left too long—especially past their optimal harvest window—they can develop unpleasant textures and internal breakdown. In Michigan, Bartletts are generally ready for harvest 110 to 133 days after full bloom, which places their ideal picking time in late August to mid-September, depending on the season and microclimate. More information at this link:

Pear Harvest | WSU Tree Fruit | Washington State University

Here’s what to watch for:

Fruit should separate easily from the branch with a gentle twist.

Flesh should still be firm—ripening will continue off the tree.

Leaving fruit on the tree too long, especially into October, can lead to internal browning and mealy texture due to over-ripening.

A light frost in late October is unlikely to improve ripening and may actually damage the fruit. Pears do not benefit from frost exposure like some apples or persimmons. In fact, frost can accelerate breakdown and reduce storage quality.

Given your location south of Grand Rapids and east of US-131, you’re in a region where Bartlett harvest typically wraps up by mid-September, possibly extending into late September in cooler microclimates. If your tree still has fruit in late October, it’s likely past prime and may not store or taste well.

I hope this helps