Asian Pear
Pyrus pyrifolia
Rosaceae · broadleaf deciduous tree · introduced
Last updated
Data Maturity Structured Multiple sources. Expert review underway.
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— Chris Welch, ISA Certified Arborist
Pyrus pyrifolia (Rosaceae) is a deciduous fruit tree native to East Asia (China and Japan). It grows 15 to 25 feet tall with a rounded to spreading crown. White flowers appear in spring, followed by round, crisp, juicy fruit quite different in texture from the soft, buttery European pear.
Asian pear grows in full sun on well-drained soil. The fruit is eaten fresh when crisp (unlike European pears, which are harvested firm and ripened off the tree). Common cultivars include 'Chojuro' (russet skin, butterscotch flavor), 'Hosui' (golden-brown, sweet), and 'Shinseiki' (yellow-green, mild). Fire blight susceptibility varies by cultivar. Hardy in Zones 5b to 8b.
Field Observations
Field Observation
Pyrus pyrifolia 'Chojuro' · Chinese Pear
full bloom
Field Observation
Pyrus pyrifolia 'Chojuro' · Chinese Pear
bud break
March 21, 2026 · Issaquah · 979 GDD₃₂ · BBCH 07
Quick Facts
Height
15-25 ft
Spread
16-40 ft
Growth Rate
Moderate
Light
Full Sun
Soil
Well Drained
Water
Moderate
Hardiness
Zone Zones 5b–8b
Bloom Time
Mar 1-Apr 15
Fall Color
Yellow
Origin
East Asia (China, Japan)
Phenological Calendar
| Stage | Typical Window |
|---|---|
| Bud break BBCH 07 | Feb 20-Mar 25 |
| Bloom start BBCH 61 | Mar 1-Apr 15 |
| Petal fall BBCH 69 | Mar 15-Apr 30 |
| Fruit set BBCH 71 | Apr 1-May 15 |
| Full bloom BBCH 65 | Mar 15-Apr 30 |
| Fruit set BBCH 71 | Apr 1-May 15 |
| Fruit ripe BBCH 81 | Aug 15-Oct 15 |
| Leaf drop BBCH 95 | Oct 15-Nov 30 |
Cultivars (14)
''Chojuro''
Brown Sugar Pear / 'Plentiful'. Mid-season harvest (Aug-Sep). Brown-yellow russeted skin, sweet, crisp, butterscotch flavor. Mature size approximately 12-20 ft maintained. PNW Handbook ratings: Fire Blight 4.0 (moderate), Pseudomonas I (intermediate), Scab R (resistant), Sunburn S, Maturity M.
Observed in maritime Puget Sound (Issaquah, WA, Zone 8b); set crop with no spray program 2026.
''Shinseiki''
'New Century'. Early-season harvest (Aug). Yellow-green smooth skin, very sweet, juicy. Often sold as 'self-fertile' but maritime springs are too unreliable for self-pollination here; plan for cross-pollination regardless. PNW Handbook ratings: Fire Blight 3.5, Pseudomonas S-I (susceptible to intermediate), Scab S (susceptible), Sunburn S, Maturity E.
Most widely sold Asian pear at retail. Site away from frost pockets if grown.
''Hosui''
'Sweet Water'. Mid-season harvest (Sep). Yellow-brown russeted skin, butterscotch flavor, exceptional quality. PNW Handbook ratings: Fire Blight 3.0, Pseudomonas S, Scab R, Sunburn S, Fabraea I, Maturity M.
Plant for flavor and accept Pseudomonas risk. Cannot use oil for pear psylla; must rely on non-oil management.
''Niitaka''
Late-season harvest. Large yellow-russet apple-shaped fruit, stores well. PNW Handbook ratings: Fire Blight 4.0, Pseudomonas I-R (intermediate to resistant), Scab R, Sunburn R, Fabraea S-I, Maturity L.
Among the best Asian pears for maritime springs: pairs Pseudomonas resistance with broad disease tolerance. Pair with another Group 1 cultivar (Korean Giant, Ya Li, Tsu Li, Seuri, Olympic) for pollination.
''Ya Li''
Chinese white pear. Pear-shaped (not apple-shaped). Mild flavor, smooth pale skin. PNW Handbook ratings: Fire Blight 7.0 (high resistance), Pseudomonas I, Scab unknown, Sunburn unknown, Fabraea S, Maturity L.
Pair with another Group 1 cultivar (Tsu Li, Niitaka, Korean Giant, Seuri, Olympic) for pollination.
''Tsu Li''
Chinese white pear. Sister cultivar to Ya Li, similar morphology. PNW Handbook ratings: Fire Blight I, Pseudomonas I, Scab unknown, Maturity L.
Less commonly stocked locally than Ya Li. Pair with another Group 1 cultivar.
''Seigyoku''
Early-season harvest. PNW Handbook ratings: Fire Blight 3.0, Pseudomonas R (only Asian pear rated R for Pseudomonas), Scab unknown, Sunburn R, Fabraea I, Maturity E.
Worth considering for maximum Pseudomonas resistance. Plan pollination through general bloom-timing references rather than a verified group assignment.
''Nijisseiki' (20th Century)'
Mid-season harvest. Pale yellow-green skin, juicy, mild flavor. Historically the dominant Asian pear in commercial trade. PNW Handbook ratings: Fire Blight 3.0, Pseudomonas I, Scab S, Sunburn S, Fabraea R, Maturity M.
Historically dominant; eclipsed for disease reasons in modern PNW recommendations.
''Kosui''
'Good Water'. Mid-season harvest. Often cited as the best-flavored Asian pear in cultivation. PNW Handbook ratings: Fire Blight S, Pseudomonas S, Scab R, Sunburn R, Fabraea I, Maturity M.
Plant for flavor; site carefully (no frost pockets); prune in dry weather; accept that bacterial dieback may occasionally take a shoot.
''Shinko''
'New Success'. Late-season harvest. Yellow-bronze russeted skin. PNW Handbook ratings: Fire Blight 7.5 (highest among Asian pears), Pseudomonas S, Scab S, Sunburn R, Maturity L.
Would be a top pick if fire blight were the dominant regional disease; for maritime PNW, the Pseudomonas susceptibility is the limiting factor.
''Yoinashi''
Mid-season harvest. Distinctive russeted skin and rich flavor. Not in PNW Handbook cultivar table. Listed in WWFRF Mount Vernon recommended fruit trees for the Puget Sound.
WWFRF/Mount Vernon trial-tested but lacks formal disease ratings.
''Hamese''
Earliest-ripening cultivar on WWFRF Mount Vernon recommended list. Not in PNW Handbook cultivar table; no formal disease ratings.
Use for harvest-window diversity if planting multiple Asian pears; pair with mid- or late-season picks.
''Mishirasu''
Large-fruited mid-to-late ripening cultivar. WWFRF Mount Vernon recommended. Less commonly stocked at retail. Not in PNW Handbook cultivar table.
''Atago''
Late-season storage cultivar. Large fruit. Holds in refrigeration into winter. WWFRF Mount Vernon recommended. Not in PNW Handbook cultivar table.
Best storage potential among WWFRF-recommended Asian pears.