A fruit tree in your landscape is an investment that will pay dividends for years to come. Once you allow a fruit tree to become established, it will provide a bountiful harvest of your favorite fruits that are fresher and so much sweeter than anything you can find in your local supermarket. This series of posts will showcase just some of the varieties we carry in our stores.

Pears

Pears are long-lived and attractive trees. Selected varieties produce great fruit with very few management problems. Three basic types of or pears grown in the United States are European, or French pears, Oriental hybrids, and Asian pears. The Asian pear, often termed “apple-pear” is gaining increased popularity in the U.S. because of it’s unique fruit and apple-like texture.

Pear are not self-fruiting and will need an additional variety for pollination. Plant standard pear trees 20 feet apart and dwarf trees 12 feet apart. Asian pears will often have fruit the first year and are the easiest tree fruit to grow.

20TH CENTURY ASIAN

The 20th Century pear is the most popular Asian pear by far. This pear is also the most ornamental variety, which renders a white-out of flowers in the spring, followed by loads of delicious yellow-green fruit in the summer months.

BARTLETT

Bartlett is the most commercially popular pear, and produces an excellent yellow-green fruit in early fall. These pears are not self-pollinating and will need a pollinator to fruit best. Has very showy flowers in the spring. Fallen fruit can be messy.

SHINSEIKI ASIAN

Shinseiki pears are one of the hardiest Asian pear varieties. An upright, spreading tree that flowers profusely in the spring, produces delicious, firm, and juicy yellow fruit in the summer, and a striking orange-red display in the fall.