I know these fruits as Chinese Apple Pears, but believe that's the same fruit referred to in other threads here as Asian Pear. My neighbour here in Vancouver has a good-sized tree that bears profusely, and gives me a few fruits every year (I lend him my picker :-)). I thought I would post a brief report about the tree and its fruit for the interest of anyone wanting to grow them. The tree is tall and quite narrow, and although I have a nasty scabby apple tree in my yard, the Asian Pear tree appears totally disease-free. The fruits were just harvested last week, and seem different to me than the ones I've had from stores. The tree-ripened ones have a more golden skin and a much richer taste. Harvesting is always a bit of an adventure due to the tree's height, which is approaching twenty feet after about 8 years.
>The fruits were just harvested last week, and seem different to me than the ones I've had from stores< Asian pears (Pyrus pyrifolia) are indigenous to China, where they have been cultivated for 4,000 years, and there are nearly 3,000 known varieties. http://mountvernon.wsu.edu/FruitHorticulture/Pears.html
The only "Asian Pear" I've seen here is a variety called "20th century pear". I hear from people who grow it that is does very well and that the is not prone to spots or scabs. Well worth growing from what I hear.
Is this fruit also called "Nashi pears" http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/20...arden/herbs,_fruit_and_vegetables/nashi_pears http://www.nashiaustralia.com.au/faq.html Liz
