Shinko Asian Pear

Pyrus pyrifolia 'Shinko'

Nature Hills Nursery

Hardy in zones 5-9, tolerates cold winters down to minus 25 degrees F with reliable fruit production
Large golden-bronze pears with crisp, juicy flesh combine apple crunch with sweet pear flavor, ready for harvest in late September
Highly resistant to fire blight, making it one of the most reliable Asian pear varieties for home gardeners
Stores exceptionally well for 4-5 months in cold storage, extending your harvest season well into winter

$83⁹²

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Plant Size

#3 Container | 3-4 ft

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Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Plant in full sun with at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily for best flowering and fruit production. Trees grown in partial shade will produce fewer blooms and lighter crops.

Soil: Thrives in well-drained soil of almost any type, from sandy loam to clay, as long as water doesn't stand after heavy rain. For heavy clay soils, work in coarse sand or compost at planting time to improve drainage. Asian pears are not particular about pH but perform best in soil between 6.0 and 7.0.

Watering Requirements

Water deeply at planting time and keep soil consistently moist throughout the first growing season while the root system establishes. Once established after the first year, water deeply whenever rainfall is less than an inch per week during the growing season. Asian pears need regular moisture during fruit development from spring through harvest for best quality fruit. Inconsistent watering can cause fruit drop or smaller pears.

Pruning Tips

Prune annually in late winter or early spring before new growth appears to maintain an open, vase-shaped canopy that allows sunlight to reach developing fruit. Thin the canopy to improve air circulation, which helps prevent disease. Remove crossing branches, dead wood, and water sprouts throughout the growing season. Thin young fruit when they're about the size of a dime to one pear per cluster, which produces larger fruit and prevents branch breakage from heavy crops.

Fertilizer Needs

Feed in early spring before bloom with a balanced fertilizer formulated for fruit trees or apply 10-10-10 fertilizer according to package directions based on tree size. A second light feeding after fruit set in late spring supports fruit development. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers which encourage excessive leaf growth at the expense of fruit production and can make trees more susceptible to fire blight.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4	Week of March 30th
Zone 5	Week of March 16th
Zone 6	Week of March 2nd
Zone 7	Week of February 23rd
Zone 8-12	Week of February 15th

Shipping Rates

Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Shinko Asian Pear (Pyrus pyrifolia 'Shinko') brings an irresistible combination of crisp apple texture and sweet pear flavor straight from your backyard. Developed in Japan in the 1940s, this brown-skinned beauty produces large, round fruits with attractive golden-bronze russeted skin and firm white flesh that's remarkably sweet and juicy. Unlike European pears that ripen off the tree, Shinko pears ripen on the branch and are ready to eat at harvest, delivering instant gratification when you bite into that satisfying crunch.

Year-Round Beauty and Performance

Spring transforms your Shinko Asian Pear into a stunning display of fragrant white blooms that appear in profuse clusters along every branch in early April. The flowers not only smell wonderful but attract pollinators by the dozens, making this tree a valuable addition for supporting beneficial insects. The glossy green leaves emerge with a coppery-bronze tint in spring before maturing to a rich dark green that provides handsome foliage through summer. Come fall, the leaves turn brilliant shades of orange and red, creating a striking autumn display before leaf drop reveals the tree's attractive branching structure for winter interest.

Exceptional Fruit for Fresh Eating and Storage

What sets Shinko apart from other Asian pear varieties is its late ripening time in late September, extending your harvest season when most summer fruits are finished. The large pears have that distinctive crisp bite that Asian pears are famous for, with very juicy flesh and a sweetness that balances perfectly with subtle pear aromatics. The golden-brown russeted skin is not only beautiful but indicates the rich, complex flavor inside. These pears are spectacular eaten fresh, sliced into salads for textural contrast, paired with cheese, or used in baking where their firm texture holds up beautifully.

The real magic of Shinko happens after harvest. While most Asian pears store for 2 to 3 months, Shinko pears keep for an impressive 4 to 5 months in cold storage at 32 degrees F, meaning you can enjoy homegrown fruit well into winter. This extended storage life made Shinko a favorite among commercial growers in Japan and home gardeners worldwide who appreciate having fresh fruit long after the growing season ends.

A Reliable Choice for Home Orchards

Shinko Asian Pear earned its reputation as one of the most dependable varieties for home growers thanks to its excellent resistance to fire blight, the bacterial disease that devastates many pear and apple trees. This disease resistance means less worry, fewer sprays, and more successful harvests year after year. The tree grows with an upright, spreading habit reaching 12 to 20 feet tall depending on rootstock, making it manageable for home landscapes while still producing abundant crops of 50 or more pounds of fruit annually once mature.

Like most Asian pears, Shinko benefits from cross-pollination with another Asian pear variety or an early-blooming European pear like Bartlett or Anjou planted nearby for heavier fruit set. The tree begins bearing fruit just 1 to 2 years after planting, rewarding your patience quickly compared to many fruit trees. With moderate water needs once established, good heat tolerance, and cold hardiness down to zone 5, Shinko adapts to a wide range of growing conditions across much of the country.

Why Shinko Belongs in Your Garden

If you've only tasted grocery store Asian pears, you haven't experienced what these fruits can truly offer. Shinko picked at perfect ripeness from your own tree delivers a level of sweetness, juice, and flavor that simply doesn't survive commercial shipping. The combination of beautiful spring flowers, attractive fall color, exceptional fruit quality, and impressive storage ability makes Shinko Asian Pear a hardworking addition to any edible landscape. Whether you're building a home orchard or adding one special fruit tree to your yard, Shinko delivers ornamental appeal and delicious harvests for decades to come.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Shinko Asian Pear need another tree to produce fruit?

Shinko is partially self-fruitful but produces much larger crops with cross-pollination from another Asian pear variety like Chojuro, Hosui, or 20th Century, or an early-blooming European pear that flowers at the same time. Plant pollinator trees within 50 feet for best results.

How is an Asian pear different from a regular pear?

Asian pears have a crisp, crunchy texture similar to apples rather than the soft, buttery texture of European pears like Bartlett or Bosc. They ripen on the tree and are ready to eat at harvest without any storage period. The flavor is sweet and refreshing with subtle pear aromatics, and the round shape resembles an apple rather than the classic pear silhouette.

When will my Shinko Asian Pear start producing fruit?

You can expect your first small crop 1 to 2 years after planting, with production increasing each year as the tree matures. Most trees reach full production by year 5 to 7, yielding 50 or more pounds of fruit annually. Annual thinning helps maintain consistent crops and larger fruit size.

How do I know when Shinko pears are ready to harvest?

Shinko pears ripen on the tree in late September and are ready when the skin turns from greenish to a golden-bronze color and fruit separates easily from the branch with a gentle upward twist. Unlike European pears, they're ready to eat immediately at harvest. Taste test a fruit for that perfect balance of sweetness and crisp texture.

Can I grow Shinko Asian Pear in a container?

While possible on a dwarfing rootstock, Shinko performs best planted in the ground where its root system can fully develop. Container growing limits fruit production and requires vigilant watering and fertilizing. If space is limited, look for a semi-dwarf rootstock that will keep the tree at a more manageable 10 to 12 feet rather than attempting container culture.

Shinko Asian Pear