Niitaka Asian pear is a nashi pear (a round form like an apple, rather than a typically western pear shape). It is a variety of Pyrus pyrifolia noted for its high productivity, large fruit, and dense form. The fruit is sweet and has a high juice content, which can cause the fruit to bruise easily. P. pyrifolia cultivars are divided into two groups; russet pears have yellowish-brown rinds while green pears have yellowish-green rinds. Russet Japanese pears are more fire blight resistant than the smooth yellow or green Chinese pears. The Niitaka Asian pear is a russet pear. Niitaka Asian pear does well in well-drained, moist soil, in full sun or partial shade, although full sun is preferred. The fruit, once picked, can be kept for up to 5 months. This tree needs high maintenance like pruning and thinning. It is tall for a fruit tree and its height should be taken into account when siting the tree. At least two cultivars are needed to ensure an adequate pollination. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: Fire Blight is the biggest disease concern and the flower is susceptible to frost. More information on Pyrus pyrifolia .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheDeutziaPyrus pyrifolia 'Chojuro'Pyrus pyrifolia 'Nijisseiki'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Edible; Tree
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
24-60 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
2 - Understory
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Multi-trunked; Rounded
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Green, glossy leaf is oval in shape, pointed at the end.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow
Flower color
White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Umbel
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
White fragrant flowers bloom from early to late spring.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Pome
Fruit value
Edible; Showy
Fruit size
> 3 inches long, > 3 inches wide
Fruit detail
This large rounded, apple shape fruit is juicy and crisp. The skin is brown-russet. It is usually more gritty than European pears. It is also good for cooking and mixing with salads. Ripens in early September.
Stem color
Brown/Copper
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Wildlife value
Attracts birds and bees.
Attracts
Bees; Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit
Harvest time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Pome
Edibility
Large fruit with brownish skin and sweet, juicy white flesh. Great for eating fresh or cooked. It can be stored for five months. Ripens in late August.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Lawn
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; Edible Garden; Pollinator Garden
Design feature
Accent; Flowering Tree; Specimen
Garden tags
#flowering tree #partial shade tolerant #large tree #edible fruits #deciduous #white flowers #full sun tolerant #fragrant flowers #dense growth