Fruit Trees
Asian Pear Trees
Asian pears (Pyrus pyrifolia) are perhaps the most under-appreciated fruit for backyard growers in North Carolina and Virginia. Asian pears are easy to grow and provide the sweetness, crunch and juiciness of an apple without the use of harsh chemical sprays. Select disease-resistant cultivars such as Dai-Sui Li, Korean Giant, Meigetsu, Shin-Li and Tennosui (my favorite!).
Most Asian pears require a second variety for adequate cross-pollination. Check out the ‘Pollination Cheat Sheet’ under the Resources tab for more information.
Our trees are grafted on to dwarfing and semi-dwarfing rootstock and will grow from 10-14ft.
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Daisui Li
A high yielding Asian pear bearing very large (up to a pound) to medium size fruit ripening after Shinko. Flesh is white, crispy, and juicy. Can be stored for 6 months at 32 degrees F. Makes an excellent dried pear. Spreading in shape with ornamental value. Fire blight resistant. A cross between Japanese pear Kikusui and Chinese pear Tse Li. Fruit set will benefit greatly from a pollination partner such as Korean Giant, Megeitsu, Shinko, Shin Li or Tennosui.
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Korean Giant
Also known as Olympic. A very large and late ripening, dark brown russet fruit of very good quality. Sweet, firm and juicy, it has an excellent storage and shelf life, keeping in a refrigerator all winter. Ripens in September. This productive tree is very disease resistant. Fruit set will benefit greatly from a pollination partner such as Daisui Li, Megeitsu, Shinko, Shin Li or Tennosui.
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Shinko
One of the most fire blight resistant of the Asian pear trees. Medium to large fruit has excellent, rich, sweet flavor. Shinko is a brownish-green pear that ripens mid-August through mid-September but stores well through January. 450 Chill Hours. Benefits from a pollination partner such as Daisui Li, Korean Giant, Shin Li or Tennosui.
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Shin-Li
Produces large, greenish-yellow, russeted fruit with sweet, aromatic, crisp and juicy flesh. The fruit is prized for its wonderful, spicy flavor and is one of the best tasting varieties. Bears abundant crops which are ready for harvest in mid to late September. Benefits from a pollination partner such as Daisui Li, Korean Giant, Shinko or Tennosui.
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Shinseiki (New Century)
Popular tree, it produces round, medium-sized, golden pears with white, sweet, crisp and juicy flesh. Bears at a young age and ripens in late July to mid-August. Requires 250-450 chill hours. Self-fertile but will bear more fruit with a pollination partner.
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Tennosui
If there is room for only one pear in your yard, this is it! Thought to be a cross between Tennessee European pear and Hosui Asian pear, this tree does not require cross-pollination to set fruit. Round like an apple, the fruit remains crisp after being cut and is slow to oxidize. Shows resistance to fire blight and ripens late July-early August. 400 chill hours.
