PLANT FINDER

Description:

An attractive asian pear variety, this upright, spreading tree produces delicious, golden-brown fruit in late summer; flowers profusely in early spring; presents a striking orange-red fall display

Edible Qualities

Shinko Asian Pear is a small tree that is typically grown for its edible qualities. It produces brown round pears (which are botanically known as 'pomes') with white flesh which are usually ready for picking in late summer. The pears have a sweet taste and a juicy texture.

The pears are most often used in the following ways:

• Fresh Eating

Features & Attributes

Shinko Asian Pear is clothed in stunning clusters of white flowers along the branches in early spring before the leaves. It has dark green deciduous foliage which emerges coppery-bronze in spring. The glossy pointy leaves turn outstanding shades of orange and in the fall. The fruits are showy brown pears carried in abundance in late summer. The fruit can be messy if allowed to drop on the lawn or walkways, and may require occasional clean-up.

This is a deciduous tree with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition. This is a high maintenance plant that will require regular care and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Messy
• Disease

Aside from its primary use as an edible, Shinko Asian Pear is sutiable for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade
• Orchard/Edible Landscaping

Planting & Growing

Shinko Asian Pear will grow to be about 20 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 20 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more. This variety requires a different selection of the same species growing nearby in order to set fruit.

This tree is typically grown in a designated area of the yard because of its mature size and spread. It should only be grown in full sunlight. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.