Asian pear trees

Asian pears are grown for their golden fruits, which have a crisp sweet juicy flesh.

• Asian pear trees

  Hosui

  

  Hosui has perhaps the best flavor of any Asian pear - it is very juicy and very sweet.

  • Picking season: Early
  • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
• Asian pear trees

  Korean Giant

  Korean Giant (or O;ympic) has potentially the largest fruits of any Asian pear variety.

  • Picking season: Late
  • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
• Asian pear trees

  Niitaka

  

  Niitaka is an Asian pear variety producing very large crisp russeted fruits.

  • Picking season: Mid
  • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
• Asian pear trees

  Shinko

  A classic Asian pear, with large golden brown russeted fruits which have a crisp sweet flesh.

  • Picking season: Late
  • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
• Asian pear trees

  Shinseiki

  

  This popular early-season Asian pear variety produces crisp sweet-flavored pears, which can be kept for up to 3 months.

  • Picking season: Early
  • Self-fertility: Partially self-fertile
• Asian pear trees

  Shinsui

  

  A popular and productive early-season Asian pear with a glowing golden brown skin and a sweet flavor.

  • Picking season: Early
  • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
• Asian pear trees

  YoinashiTM

  Yoinashi is a mid-season Asian pear, with large golden brown russeted fruits.

  • Picking season: Mid
  • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile

How to choose Asian pear trees

Asian pears are highly prized for their crisp juicy flesh and sweet sugary flavors.  The fruits are round, and usually a golden or golden green russet color.

Asian pear trees have many ornamental qualities too - as well as the delightful fruits, the spring blossom is also attractive, while the leaves often emerge with bronze tints, and may turn red or orange in the fall.

Asian pears are not particularly cold-hardy, but should be successful in sheltered locations in zone 5, and suitable for most situations in zone 6 and above. They are all susceptible to fireblight - but less susceptible than European pears. They tolerate warm southern climates fairly well.

Most Asian pears are not self-fertile, but different varieties will usually cross-pollinate since they all flower at around the same time. In addition they can be pollinated by many early or mid-bloom European pear varieties - Bartlett is usually a good choice.

Asian pears tend to be naturally precocious, come into bearing from an early age.

The picking season for Asian pears is similar to that of European pears - the first varieties are ready at about the same time as early European pears like Bartlett.

Although Asian pears are characterized by their sugary sweet flavors, they are also high in fiber and antioxidants.