How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Asian Pear Trees

The Asian pear trees produces delicate, sweet fruit. It is also a lovely tree with beautiful white flowers in the spring and vibrant leaves in the fall. Jillian Balli will share our in-depth guide on how to grow this lovely species in your garden!

A shot of ripe yellow fruits alongside leaves of an Asian pear tree

Contents

Asian pear trees produce golden, apple-shaped fruit that has a sweet pear flavor with the texture of a crisp apple. The Asian pear tree not only produces an abundance of delicious fruit, but it’s also aesthetically pleasing without taking up too much space. It has beautiful white flowers in the spring, lush green foliage in the summer, and colorful falling leaves in the fall. The species name, pyrifolia, means fiery leaves because of its intense fall color.

Asian pears can occasionally be found at the grocery store in the United States, but the fruit is very sensitive to bruising. Growing Asian pears at home is the best way to have plenty of quality produce. Unlike European pears, apple pears are greatest when picked ripe, so growing them in your garden guarantees that you can pick and enjoy them when they’re perfect.

Keep in mind, these trees are only partially self-fertile so they need to be cross-pollinated to produce satisfactory fruit yields. It’s helpful to grow two different varieties within 50 feet for optimal pollination or you can plant a cocktail tree with multiple varieties on the same tree. To extend the harvest season, choose varieties with different picking times. Most cultivars are cross-compatible for pollination, but it’s wise to confirm before planting. European varieties are also compatible for pollination. Make sure the bloom windows overlap to allow for cross-pollination. 

Plant Overview

A shot of ripe yellow fruits of a large plant
Plant Type Fruit tree
Family Rosaceae
Genus Pyrus
Species Pyrus pyrifolia
Native Area China, Laos, Vietnam
Exposure Full Sun
Height 10-15’
Watering Requirements Moderate
Pests & Diseases Moth larvae, scale, aphids, pear psylla, fire blight, root and crown rot
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Well-draining, loam
Hardiness Zone 5-9

What are Asian Pear Trees?

Asian pears are also commonly referred to as Nashi or apple pears. The Asian pear is in the Rosaceae family along with apples, cherries, apricots, and plums (just to name a few). Growth and development are similar to apple trees.

Native Area

A shot of a developing fruit bearing large plant in a well lit area
The plant is native to East Asia.

The Asian pear originates from East Asia. Most of the commonly grown varieties in the United States come from Japan, China, and Korea. Pears are large and often sold at a high price making it a great gift or treat for guests. The juicy, tasty fruit is enjoyed on its own or pairs well with cheeses and salads.

Characteristics

A shot of a large fruit bearing plant in a well lit area outdoors
The large plant has teardrop-shape leaves, producing white flowers and yellow fruits.

Pyrus pyrifolia is a deciduous tree with alternate symmetrical, teardrop-shaped leaves. The small white flowers grow in clusters and cover the entire tree during the spring. Tree size ranges from eight to twenty feet tall, depending on the rootstock. Dwarf, semi-dwarf, and standard rootstocks are available. Dwarf rootstocks will produce an eight to ten-foot tree. Semi-dwarf rootstocks will produce a twelve to fifteen-foot tree. Standard rootstocks will produce an eighteen to twenty-foot tree.

They bloom in the spring, the fruit tree develops over the summer, and is ready to pick at the end of summer and through the fall. In the winter, the trees drop all their leaves and go dormant. During the winter, the trees must reach a certain number of chill hours to produce fruit for the following season. Each cultivar has its chill requirement to produce fruit. Chill hours are accumulated when the temperature drops below 45°F. Asian pears require a range of 300-500 chill hours depending on the cultivar grown.

Varieties

There are two main types of Asian pears; russet pears and green pears. Russet pears have a yellow-brown rind while green pears have a yellow-green rind. Below are a few popular cultivars and short descriptions of each.

‘Hosui’

A close-up shot of fruits of a variety of large plant called Hosui
The variety has fruits that starts out yellow and turns gold when ripe.

Consistently rated one of the best-tasting Asian pears. ‘Hosui’ is a russet pear. The fruit starts as yellow and turns a golden-brown color when ripened. This cultivar has a 300-400 hour chill requirement and the fruit is ready in August.

‘20th Century’

A close-up shot of fruits of the 20th Century variety of large plants in alongside its leaves in a well lit area
It is considered green and has a mild flavor.

Considered to be a green pear, this pear from Japan is juicy with a mild flavor. The chill requirement is 300-400 hours and the fruit is ready for harvest in August.

‘Shinseiki’

A close-up shot of bright yellow colored fruits of the Shinseiki variety of large plants.
This variety features bright yellow fruits.

‘Shinseiki’ produces bright yellow fruit that stores well in the fridge without compromising flavor or texture. The chill requirement is 250-300 hours and is ready for harvest from late July to early August.

‘Shinko’

A shot of several golden-brown colored fruits of the Shinko variety of plants
It produces golden-brown russet pears.

A golden-brown russet pear with strong flavor and a crisp juicy texture. The chill requirement is 450 hours and is ready for harvest in September.

Planting

A shot of several developing fruit bearing large plants in a well lit area
Select a location that has good drainage and receives full sun exposure.

The first step to growing Asian pears is to find the perfect location. Choose a sunny location in an area with good soil drainage. Give the tree six to fifteen feet clearance from the nearest structure or trees. If you are not planting a cocktail tree, don’t forget to plant an additional variety within 50 feet. 

The best time of year to plant is in the spring when the temperature stays between 50 to 90°F (10-32°C). When planting, dig a hole at least twice the size of the root ball. Loosen any circling roots and place the root ball into the hole. Fill in the hole and make sure to leave the graft at least two to three inches above the soil.

After a tree is planted, it will slightly settle deeper into its hole as the soil settles. Always make sure that the rootstock is above the soil line to take advantage of the disease tolerant characteristics. 

How to Grow

Maintaining healthy fruit trees is crucial to avoid disease and pest issues. Follow the guidelines below and you will enjoy a bountiful harvest year after year!

Light

A shot of a ripe fruit of a large plant alongside its leaves, all attached to a branch and is basking in bright sunlight outdoors
The plant prefers full sun, with at least 6 to 8 hours of exposure daily.

Set Asian pear trees in full sun, where they will receive at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight. The sunlight helps with flower and fruit formation, so it’s necessary to have the most it can get. If parts of the tree are in the shade for too much of the day, they will not be very productive and may produce inadequate fruit.

Water

Sprinkler drip irrigation system watering soil in the garden.
The plant need about 1 to 2 inches of water per week, soakers and sprinklers can do the job.

Asian pears need about one to two inches of water every week. During the summer, increase the duration and frequency. Keep in mind, Asian pears are dormant during the winter months, so checking the soil is the best indicator for determining when to water. An easy way to check if you should water is when the top two inches of soil are dry. The most optimal time to water is early in the morning. This allows the soil to soak in the water with minimal evaporation. Avoiding stagnant water at night will also help prevent disease.

Soaker hoses and sprinklers can both be used to irrigate. Typically, it takes 200 minutes to apply an inch of water using a soaker hose. Sprinklers have much more variability, so a rain gauge should be used to determine the appropriate length of time. During cooler months, irrigation frequency should be scaled back to avoid overwatering.

Soil

Loamy soil has a rich, dark brown color and a soft, crumbly texture.
Use a well-drained loamy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.

Asian pears like well-drained loamy soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Trees will survive in nutrient-poor soils, but they will not produce as expected. Adding organic matter can help add nutrients and improve the soil structure. Trees will not survive in saturated or poorly drained soil conditions. Planting in a raised mound or bed is a good solution to overcoming drainage concerns.

Temperature

A shot of ripe yellow fruits of a plant all situated in a well lit area
The plants develop best in hardiness zone 5 to 9.

They are hardy to USDA zone 5-9. Temperature tolerance ranges quite a bit depending on the cultivar and rootstock selection. Some combinations are frost tolerant down to -10°F (-23°C) and others down to 10°F (-12°C). Heat tolerance is also dependent on the cultivar and rootstock. 

Some varieties, such as ‘Hosui’ and ‘Shinko’, grow very well in areas like the California Central Valley, where summer temperatures exceed 100°F (38°C). Cooler temperatures during the spring bloom can slow down pollination, which can result in smaller fruits and less yield. Having two cross-pollinating varieties nearby and a surrounding habitat that promotes pollinator presence will help overcome this potential problem.

Fertilizing

A close-up of a hand holding granules of black slow-release fertilizer, ready for planting. The granules are textured, promising nourishment for vibrant growth. In the background, a multitude of granules awaits their turn to nurture plants.
Use a balanced fertilizer once a year in the spring.

Young trees do not require very much fertilizer as long as they are planted in nutrient-rich soil. They typically will not require additional inputs until they are producing fruit. After trees become productive, they should be fertilized once a year in the spring after bud break using a balanced fertilizer.

Maintenance

Close-up of a man's hand with electric pruning shears trimming branches of trees and bushes in a January garden.
Pruning is done to promote strong scaffold branches and maintain the size of the plant.

The best time to prune is during the winter when the tree is dormant. Asian pears like to have one central leader, so pruning should be done to promote one central leader and strong scaffold branches. Scaffold branches should be selected in an alternate pattern along the central trunk and should not overlap each other. When selecting scaffold branches, it’s important to consider the angle of the branch.

Narrow angles are prone to splitting, so look for sturdy branches with a 65° angle from the central leader. Remove any branches that grow vertically or towards the center of the tree. Branches growing in the center of the tree will shade the scaffold branches, reducing growth. 

Pruning is an excellent tool to maintain the desired size of the tree. Cutting back branches to the desired size may reduce the yield for one season, but it may be necessary to maintain a manageable tree. Pruning should also be used to remove dead and old non-producing growth. Removing dead growth will remove potentially infected material and promote new growth. Old fruit should never be left on the tree. Leaving old fruit allows pathogens to be stored and introduced into the next season.

Fruit develops on older growth. Luckily, it is easy to distinguish which branches contain fruiting buds and which contain growth buds. Fruiting buds look swollen and have fuzzy bud scales while growth buds are much smaller and inconspicuous.

Propagation

A close-up of a stem exhibits signs of bud grafting, evident with plastic wrapping around it, ensuring protection and fostering growth. In the blurred background, vibrant green leaves sway gently, bathed in sunlight, promising a fruitful season ahead.
Propagation can be done by seeds, cuttings or grafting techniques.

Pear trees are produced by grafting a cultivar onto a rootstock. Rootstock selection is based on the growing conditions and the preferred size. Rootstocks can provide characteristics such as disease tolerance, frost tolerance, and size control. Purchasing a grafted tree will also produce fruit years earlier than starting a tree from seed or cuttings. Check your USDA growing zone and select cultivars and rootstocks that are appropriate for your conditions. 

Asian pears can be germinated from seed. However, it takes significantly longer and the fruit characteristics are unpredictable. Germinating seeds is a long process and involves breaking seed dormancy, so this method is not recommended.

Another option is propagation by cuttings. This will produce a genetic clone of the mother plant, but the tree will lack the beneficial characteristics provided by rootstocks, such as disease and frost tolerance. 

Harvesting

Two pieces of round fruits appearing to have a golden surface with small spots attached to woody branches
Check if there are fallen pieces near the plant, which is a sign that they are ready to harvest.

Harvesting Asian pears is easy once you learn the perfect picking time. Keep reading for proper harvesting and storage tips.

The first clue that the pears are ready to pick is fruit drop. When a couple of pieces have fallen from the tree, that’s a really good indicator that the pears are ripe. The second sign that the pears are ready to pick is the color. Depending on the cultivar, the color will be a golden russet color or a yellow-green color. If the color indicates that the fruits may be ready, the next step is to lift the fruit upwards. If the pear does not come off the branch easily, it is not ready. Ripe pears will break off the branch easily without pulling. After picking, handle with care because apple pears bruise easily.

Storage

An overhead shot of freshly harvested fruits on a bamboo tray in a well lit area
The fruits can be stored fresh at room temperature or in the fridge.

Asian pears can be stored fresh at room temperature for about a week and two to three weeks in the crisper in the refrigerator.

There are quite a few options for long-term storage. Asian pears can be frozen or canned for later use in recipes. Before storing, they should be cut into pieces, leaving out the core. They can also be dehydrated for easy sweet snacks.

Common Problems

Growing Asian pear trees is extremely rewarding but occasionally presents its challenges. Check out the common issues below and how to overcome them.

Growing Problems

A shot of developing fruits and leaves of a large plant in a well lit area
Lack of pollinators and improper pruning are causes of growth issues.

Inadequate cross-pollination can result in low fruit yields. This can be caused by a lack of pollinators or a lack of compatible trees for cross-pollination. If the issue is a lack of pollinators, consider planting additional plants in your garden that are attractive to bees. If cross-pollination is the issue, consider planting another pear variety within 50 feet to ensure cross-pollination. Before planting, confirm that the cultivars are compatible for cross-pollination.

Improper pruning can cause branches to break due to excessive weight during fruit production. Proper pruning techniques and fruit thinning are tremendously important to maintaining a fruit tree’s physical stability.

Pests

A shot of a larvae of a codling moth
The plant is plagued by a number of insect pests.

There are a few different species of moth larvae that feed on Pyrus pyrifolia, like the larvae of the codling moth. Some feed on the fruits while others feed on the leaves. Signs of infestation include holes in the fruit, chew marks on leaves, and distorted or rolled leaves. For light infestations, larvae can be physically removed. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) can be used for treatment.

Pear psyllas are small, winged insects with bright red eyes at all stages of growth, excluding the egg stage. During most of their nymphal stages, they are yellow but as adults, they are dark green or brown. These insects are sap feeders and produce honeydew. This can cause secondary concerns, with sooty mold covering the leaves, preventing photosynthesis.

In large numbers, pear psylla can defoliate a tree and cause fruit drop. It is attracted to tender, young foliage. Over-fertilizing may cause an unnecessary flush in tender new growth, promoting an insect infestation. Natural enemies can control populations to a tolerable level.

Scale insects range in color from yellow to orange to brown. Scales can be found on younger branches and twigs. Some scales may produce honeydew which can lead to sooty mold. Natural enemies may keep populations under control naturally. If treatment is necessary, horticultural oils are proven to be effective.

Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that feed on the sap of tender leaf and stem tissue. They come in various colors, such as yellow, orange, green, and black. Aphids can cause some deformation in leaves. They also produce honeydew, which can lead to other problems, such as sooty mold.

Aphids can be controlled by manually removing leaves with heavy infestations and by hosing them off with water. Horticultural oils and insecticidal soaps are also effective in controlling aphids.

Diseases

Wilting, darkened branches with blackened, water-soaked lesions on leaves and stems.
The plant is susceptible to a number of bacterial and fungal diseases.

Fire blight is a bacterial disease that causes shoot tips and flowers to blacken and die. The disease is most prevalent when conditions are warm and wet. The best way to treat is by removing infected tissue. Remove twigs and branches four to eight inches below the visible injury to ensure complete removal.

Pruners must be disinfected after each cut to prevent further spread. During the fall and winter, it’s important to remove any remaining fruits, leaves, and deadwood to prevent overwintering bacterial cells. If infected material is left on the tree, it can lead to entire branches becoming infected and requiring removal. 

Two main pathogens can cause root and crown rot; Armillaria mellea and Phytophthora spp. Both diseases favor persistently wet conditions, so overwatering or poor drainage can worsen and speed up the infection. Symptoms of infection include a general decline in vigor, wilting, and sudden death. Armillaria mellea can be identified by digging up some of the roots and looking for white mycelium.

Phytophthora will need to be diagnosed by a laboratory, but digging up some roots and checking the root health is a good indicator. If the roots are dead and rotting, there’s a good chance the tree is suffering from a Phytophthora infection.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for an Asian pear tree to bear fruit?

If purchasing a grafted tree from a nursery, fruiting can occur after the first year. In general, it takes three to four years for a tree to bear its first fruit.

Are Asian pear trees self-pollinating?

Asian pear trees are partially self-fertile. Trees that are not cross-pollinated will produce very little fruit, so it’s recommended to have two compatible cross-pollinating cultivars nearby. Confirm that bloom times overlap to ensure they will be cross-pollinating.

How big do Asian pear trees get?

Asian pear trees have the potential to grow around 20 feet tall. However, tree size can be managed by using dwarfing rootstocks and/or pruning.

Share This Post
Dense clusters of bright red, textured fruits dangle from spreading lychee branches with glossy, pointed green leaves growing in a sunny garden.

Fruits

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Lychee Trees

Lychee trees are a wonderful tropical addition to gardens in warm climates. Their sweet fruits are the perfect summer treat and the lush green leaves add ornamental value for the rest of the year. Gardening expert Madison Moulton explains everything you need to know to grow and care for lychees in this guide.

Branches with slender, woody stems, dark green lance-shaped leaves, and vibrant orange-red fruits with leathery skin, making it an easy fruit tree to grow.

Fruits

9 Easy and Low-Maintenance Fruit Trees for Your Backyard

Fruit trees are both beautiful landscape elements and practical sources of delicious food! If you're worried about the upkeep, there are some wonderful trees that are easy to care for. Gardening expert Melissa Strauss shares nine fruit trees that are low-maintenance to plant in your garden.

A person using shears to cut off a branch from an apple tree

Fruits

11 Plants You Should Always Cut Back in December

Even in its quiet winter state, the garden prepares for new growth. In December, a few trimming tasks remain to set the foundation for successful overwintering and a flourishing spring. Join gardening expert Katherine Rowe in exploring how winter pruning now benefits certain woody plants in the future.