Selecting Asian Pear VarietiesThere are many varieties of Asian pears to choose from. In deciding which you want to plant, ask yourself the following questions:
- What flavor do I like best?
Asian pears differ quite bit in flavor: some are sweeter than others; some are more acidic; some are slightly spicy; some have a slight apricot flavor. Taste different varieties before you plant.- Do I want an early, a midseason or a late-season pear?
- What size tree do I want?
Most Asian pears will produce a few fruit even if they're the only pear planted anywhere nearby. But for a decent crop of fruit, Asian pears need cross-pollination, so you'll want to plant at least two different varieties in your yard. You can look at a pollination chart for Asian pears to make sure the ones you choose will pollinate each other, or you can check with your local Cooperative Extensive service. Remember when planting your trees that they should be within 50' to 100' apart for best pollination.
Note on the Cooperative Extension Services
You may have noticed that we often refer you to your local cooperative extension service for additional information. Why? Because extension service agents are local experts, the ones right in your own neighborhood. They understand your local climate and growing conditions better than anyone else.
If you don't know how to get in contact with your local extension service, here is a website that will help you easily locate the extension service nearest you: www. csrees.usda.gov/Extension/.
Korean Giant and Shinko
We planted two popular varieties: Korean Giant and Shinko.
- Korean Giant is a medium-sized tree that bears giant fruit (a single pear can weigh as much as two pounds). Korean Giant pears have greenish-bronze skin and are extremely sweet. A late-season pear, it's harvested well after most other pears are finished. The tree is sometimes sold as Dan Beh or Olympic.
- Shinko is a small tree that can easily be kept at about 10' tall. The fruit of this variety is also quite large, with yellowish-brown skin and sweet, juicy flesh. It's a midseason pear that produces lots and lots of fruit.
Planting
Trees grown in containers can be planted any time of year, but early spring is usually the best planting time. By getting the trees in the ground while the weather is still mild, you give them time to get established before the heat of summer sets in. In warm-weather climates, the fall is also a good time to plant.
1. Dig a hole the about 1" shallower than, and twice as wide as, the rootball (figure G). Almost all trees grow best if they are planted slightly above the surrounding soil rather than even with or below the soil line.
2. Carefully pull the tree from its container. To give the roots a head start in spreading out into the soil, loosen them with your hands and untangle any encircled roots (figure H).
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