Nashi Hosui - Apple-Pear

The Asian Pear Tree or Nashi Hosui is a small fruit tree that produces somewhat exotic fruits called apple-pears, which resemble apples in appearance but have a soft, juicy, and fragrant flesh similar to that of a pear. The tree resembles a pear tree, but its leaves are larger. This variety is rather late, flowering in April and spared from severe frosts. It produces fairly large fruits, covered with bronzed skin, speckled with white spots. Harvested when ripe in August, they will store in a cool place (in the cellar or refrigerator) until January. The Nashi Hosui is not self-fertile and will need to be pollinated by a Williams pear tree or a Nashi Kosui, for example. The tree is disease-resistant and tolerant of cold temperatures. Plants from Organic Agriculture.

The pear tree is native to central Asia and has been cultivated in China for 6,000 years. It was introduced to Europe around the 6th century. The Nashi Hosui Pear Tree is an Asian pear variety that grows in temperate zones of China, Korea, and Japan. Although it has been cultivated for many centuries in these regions of the world, it has only recently appeared in our orchards.

While not frost-sensitive, the Nashi Hosui Pear Tree still appreciates sheltered and sunny locations, so avoid frosty and windy situations. It is easy to grow and likes moist and deep soils, but dislikes overly draining and limestone soils. In winter, give it a handfull of wood ash, rich in potash, to improve flowering and fruit quality.
It has a tall silhouette with a trunk that then spreads harmoniously. This shape helps harvesting and naturally improves the tree's ventilation, making it less susceptible to diseases. Its oval-shaped leaves are finely toothed at the edges and have a petiole as long as the lamina, about 10 to 12 cm (4 to 5in). In autumn, the foliage takes on beautiful yellow and red colours.
Its late flowering in April protects it from frost. Its flowers have 5 white petals. They are not self-fertile, so it is necessary to plant another pear tree nearby. Its main pollinators are the Nashi Kosui and William's varieties.
This variety produces apple-pears with a diameter of about 7 cm (3in). The fruit resembles a round and flattened apple with a pear-like taste. The bronzed skin is speckled with white lenticels. The flesh is very refreshing, fragrant, and juicy. It stores very well.

Pears can be eaten fresh, in syrup, in pastries, in jams and compotes, and can be used to make alcoholic beverages, ...

For transportation reasons, our tallest scions may be pruned before shipping. They are suitable for all common training sizes: cordons, espaliers, bush trees, half-standards, and low standards, but not high standards. If you would like more information or advice on training your fruit trees, please do not hesitate to contact us.