The Nashi Pear, pyrus pyrifolia, also known as Asian Pear, Nashi Apple and Apple Pear, is a deciduous fruit bearing tree, (pear species), indigenous to central and southern China. Nashi Pears are very unlike to the buttery European varieties, Pyrus communis. Its shape and crispy texture are reminiscent of apples as opposed to the melting flesh European pear.

The Nashi Pear is a medium sized, erect growing tree, to 10 meters tall, but broadly speaking 3-5 meters in cultivation. The tree size is heavily dependent on rootstock and training system. While common names like Apple Pear might paint a picture of a cross between apples and pears this is not the case.

Pyrus pyrifolia leaves are elliptic-ovate with sharp tips, with finely toothed or smooth margins, 5-10cm in length. Flowers are about 2-3cm in diameter with white petals, and similar to apple except for having longer pedicels. The inflorescence is corymbs, carrying 5-7 flowers. Honey bees are the main pollinators.

Nashi Pear Fruit

The fruit is round and tends to be quite large and aromatic, when thinned out to one or two per spur, but can be small if too many on tree. Nashi Pear cultivars are classified in two groups. The Akanashi (‘red pears’) group, with brownish-yellow rind and the Aonashi (‘green pears’) group with yellow-green rinds.

The Nashi fruit, unlike the European pears that should be picked before fully ripen as they are subject to core breakdown if allowed to do so on-tree, it will ripen on trees like apples. It is commonly served raw and peeled. It has a white, juicy, sweet and crisp flesh.

Nashi Pear Propagation Methods

Tree propagation for standard sized trees is by chip or t-budded onto compatible root-stocks. Like all pears the Pyrus pyrifolia will tolerate heavy, poorly drained soils better than most fruit trees. However, productiveness is best on deep, well-drained loams with pH 6-7.

The plant has very analogous climatic requirements to apples, but is much more inclined to suffer fire blight and therefore can’t tolerate humid, wet springs. Pyrus pyrifolia is a member of the family Rosaceae the genus Pyrus.

Nashi Pear, Pyrus pyrifolia

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