Growing Asian Pears with Matt Bunch

Each month, we share expert-led training sessions to help community orchard stewards grow and care for thriving fruit trees. On this page, you’ll find a summary of key takeaways and additional resources to deepen your knowledge. Be sure to explore past workshops for even more insights into urban orcharding best practices!

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Presented by Matt Bunch, Horticulturist, Kansas City Community Gardens, The Giving Grove

Asian Pears are a productive, attractive fruit tree that can thrive in many community orchards and climates. They are known for their crisp texture, sweet flavor, and ability to produce fruit at a relatively young age. With proper cultivar selection and maintenance, they can be an excellent addition to orchards across much of the United States.

History

  • Asian pears have been cultivated in China for at least 3,000 years and were introduced by Japan around 800 CE.

  • Today, nearly 3,000 cultivars are grown worldwide.

  • Most of the cultivated varieties belong to one of these three species:

    • Pyrus serotina (Sand Pear/Asian Pear)

    • Pyrus ussuriensis (Siberian or Chinese Pear)

    • Pyrus x bretschneideri (White or Duck Pear)

Climate & Site Requirements

  • Suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9 (depending on cultivar and rootstock)

  • Prefer soil pH between 6.0 – 7.5

  • Flowers earlier than European pears

  • Most varieties benefit from cross-pollination, although some are partially self-fertile

  • Begin producing fruit as early as the third growing season

  • Typical mature height ranges from 15-30 feed depending on pruning and rootstock

  • Trees can often be planted 10-12 feet apart

  • Many rootstocks tolerate heavier clay soils better than other fruit trees

  • Fruit ripens on the tree rather than after harvest

Common Pests & Diseases of Asian Pears

Several pests and diseases should be monitored throughout the growing season.

Good sanitation, thoughtful pruning, and timely integrated past management practices can significantly reduce problems.

Asian Pear Rootstocks & Cultivars

Rootstocks

  • Calleryana (Pyrus calleryana) – adaptable to wetter soils; hardy to Zone 5a

  • Betulifolia (Pyrus betulifolia) – hardy to Zone 4; vigorious and productive; may produce root suckers

  • OHxF97 – semi-standard size with good fire blight resistance

  • OHxF333 – more dwarfing with good fire blight resistance

Recommended Cultivars

When selecting cultivars, consider: disease resistance, harvest season, fruit size and flavor, cold hardiness, and storage potential.

Cultivar performance varies by region, but commonly recommended varieties include:

  • Chojuro

  • Shinseiki (New Century)

  • Shinsui

  • Yoinashi

  • Shinko

  • Nijisseiki (20th Century)

  • Korean Giant (Olympic/Danbae)

  • Seuri

  • Kosui

  • Niitaka

  • Reddy Robin

  • Juicy Jewel

Training & Pruning Asian Pears

Asian pears naturally grow upright and benefit from early structural training.

Best practices include:

  • Train to the central leader or candelabra-style structure.

  • Use limb spreaders while branches are young to create wider branch angles.

  • Remove very narrow branch crotches early (less than 45 degrees).

  • Maintain tree height around 10-12 feet for easier harvesting.

  • Limit dormant pruning on mature trees to avoid excessive upright growth.

  • Most routine pruning can occur during the summer.

Harvest & Storage of Asian Pears

Unlike European pears, Asian pears are harvested fully ripe.

Harvest tips:

  • Pick fruit when the background color changes from green to yellow or orange (depending on cultivar).

  • Handle carefully to avoid bruising.

  • Refrigerate fruit without washing.

  • Chilling improves both texture and flavor.

Typical storage life:

  • Early-season cultivars: approximately 2-3 months

  • Late-season cultivars (Such as Korean Giant or Seuri): approximately 4-6 months

Culinary Uses of Asian Pears

Asian pears are excellent for:

  • Fresh eating

  • Salads

  • Stir-fries

  • Stews

  • Meat marinades and tenderizing

  • Some kimchi recipes

Because of their high water content, they are generally less suitable for baking or preserves than European pears.

Additional Resources:

Books

  • Uncommon Fruits Worthy of Attention by Lee Reich

  • The Holistic Orchard by Michael Phillips

Online Resources

About the Presenter

Matt Bunch’s love for plants and gardening grew from the gardens of his parents and grandparents. Schooled as a history major, Matt has worked in the horticulture profession since 1994 in retail, municipal, and public garden capacities. From 2004 to 2013, Matt was with Powell Gardens (Kansas City’s Botanical Garden), first as a Native Plant Landscape Specialist, then as the Horticulturist for the 12-acre Heartland Harvest Garden edible landscape. Matt continues to garden at home with his family, is always in search of the next champion tree, and by informal count, has planted close to 10,000 trees. Matt has been with The Giving Grove since 2013.

Sarah Sikich