Gardening Basics: Pear Trees

Pear trees can be a fruitful addition to any yard. Two main types of pair trees exist; many different varieties are popular within each type. The trees are either Asian or European pear trees. Eight different types of Asian pear trees include Atago, Olympic and Shinko. There are fourteen types of European pear trees, the most common of which is the Bartlett.

Shinko Pear Tree

The Shinko Pear tree produces very large, sweet brownish-green pears. Rather than the traditional bell shape, Shinko pears are very round. The pears ripen August through September, but they can be stored for several months afterward. Backyardgardener.com says these trees do very well when they are exposed to six hours or more of sunshine daily. This tree also needs light pruning and watering.

Kosui Pear Tree

The Kosui pear tree is another Asian pear tree that produces pears that look very similar to the Shinko tree. These trees require the same care as the Shinko. They grow about five feet tall and produce very large pears. The Kosui is a good choice for someone who has minimal space, but wants to enjoy the large fruit that this tree grows.

Bartlett

Bartlett pears are bell-shaped pears commonly found in the produce section of your local grocery store. These pears range in color from green to bright yellow or somewhere in between. Bartlett pear trees are very productive because they can produce fruit for up to 75 years. Produceoasis.com says that Bartlett pear trees were brought to America by early colonists.

Shenandoah

Shenandoah pear trees are another European type of tree that produces fruit very similar to the Bartlett trees. These pears are just wider at the base. The pears are generally ripe in September, but they can store for up to five months. Sometimes Shenandoah pears also have several tiny pin sized speckles scattered on the flesh.