Nashi or Japanese pear: planting, harvest

Description and botany

The Nashi or nachi, more commonly called Asian pear, sand pear or Japanese pear, is a fruit tree belonging to the Rosaceae family, like the Pear tree, almond tree, peach tree or Apple tree. The nashi is a pear tree, although its almost round fruits resemble apples. It is derived from the wild pear species Pyrus pyrifolia. Native to Asia, mainly from the medium mountains of Japan, South Korea, and China, it grows in temperate to subtropical climates between 100 and 1400 m altitude.

It is still rarely found in our orchards. The species was introduced and cultivated in France only from the 1980s onwards, particularly in the Landes and Aveyron regions, as the tree only tolerates frosts down to -15°C. It is also found in Italy. Today, there are many cultivars resulting from cross-breeding with common pear varieties Pyrus communis, with variable skin, flavour and precocity. Most require cross-pollination by the common pear tree.

It forms a small tree not exceeding 5 m in height with a tall, slender silhouette, allowing it to be adopted in many gardens. From a tall trunk, the branches naturally spread out over time, making harvesting easier and improving the tree’s aeration. The branches are longer than those of the pear tree it resembles, arching beautifully. The slightly weeping habit makes it a very beautiful specimen when planted alone.

The alternate leaves are single, ovate, finely dentate on the margins. They measure about 10 to 12 cm, and are slightly larger than those of the common pear. They are borne on a petiole almost as long as the lamina, which rustles at the slightest breeze. This deciduous, glossy green foliage takes on beautiful yellow to red hues in autumn before falling.

The Nashi flowers late, in April, between those of the peach and pear trees, usually protecting it from frosts. The flowers are typical of Rosaceae, remarkably decorative in spring. They consist of five white-pink petals with a bouquet of red stamens surrounding the pistil at the heart of the flower. Measuring 3 to 4 cm across, they appear in clusters at the ends of the shoots and attract many pollinating insects. These flowers are not self-fertile, so another pear tree is needed nearby to ensure good fruiting. The William’s and Nashi Kosui varieties are known to be good pollinators for all varieties.

Ppyrus pyrifolia: habit (© Puddin Tain), and flowering in April

The flowers are followed by the formation of apple-like fruits, hence its other name of apple pear or pear-apple, “Nashi” meaning “pear” in Japanese. Many fruits, more or less globose and flattened, about 7 cm in diameter appear on one-year-old shoots. Nashis vary in size and colour depending on the variety. The epidermis of the fruit is more or less rough. The skin is bronzed, ochre russet or yellow in colour, dotted with white lenticels. Nashis look like apples while having the texture of pears. These fleshy fruits reveal granular, crunchy and juicy flesh, particularly refreshing. Their flavour is a subtle blend of apple and pear, less sweet than that of classic pears and slightly acidic. When ripe, the fruits give off a sweet smell and remain as firm to the touch as an apple. Harvest takes place from mid-August to October, depending on the variety and climate. It begins to produce 2 or 3 years after planting.

Young Nashi fruits (© Puddin Tain), and fruits at ripeness, ready to pick

Main species and varieties

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Planting a nashi

Where to Plant a Nashi Pear?

Hardy down to -15-20°C when well established, the Nashi pear tolerates winter cold very well and can adapt throughout France, including at low altitudes. This fruit tree requires cold and sunshine to bear fruit. Careful consideration should be given to its positioning, choosing a sunny spot sheltered from prevailing winds. As it thrives in warmth, plant it protected from cold winds, against a well-exposed wall for example, especially north of the Loire.

The Japanese pear thrives in any good garden soil – rich, moist but without waterlogging, and well-drained. It prefers soils that are neither too dry nor too chalky. It requires another variety of nashi or a pear tree (pollinator) nearby to ensure good fruiting. The Williams pear has a spreading flowering period, making it an effective pollinator for nashi species.

It fits naturally in an orchard but also in ornamental gardens at the back of a border or as a standalone feature, thanks to its slender, slightly weeping habit and delicate flowering. Like the Apple Tree and the Pear Tree, the nashi can be grown as a standard or trained against a wall.

When to Plant the Nashi Pear?

Nashi pears are ideally planted in autumn between October and March, avoiding frost periods. If container-grown, they can be planted year-round except during extreme heat or frost.

How to Plant It?

If planting multiple nashi trees, space them at least 4 to 6 metres apart. The nashi prefers moist but not waterlogged soil. If your soil retains water, improve drainage with gravel or compost. It has a clear preference for acidic or neutral soil.

• Prepare the soil by removing stones and weeds
• Soak the rootball in a bucket of water for a few minutes before planting to rehydrate it
• Using a spade, dig a hole about 60 cm wide and deep
• Add a drainage layer at the bottom, especially if your soil is heavy
• Place compost at the base of the hole
• Position the rootball and insert a stake
• Place the young plant with its collar level with the ground
• Backfill with a mix of garden soil and compost, ensuring the rootball is fully covered
• Firm the soil around the base and water thoroughly to eliminate air pockets
• Secure the stake with an appropriate tie

Nashi Pear Fruit (© Luka rs)

Cultivation, care, and pruning of the nashi

Like many fruit-bearing trees, the nashi will require some attention. During the first years after planting and in case of extreme heat, keep the soil moist at the base of the tree with regular watering. Proper irrigation is essential for fruit production. Mulch around the base to retain moisture in summer.

Each year in early spring, apply well-rotted compost by lightly scratching it into the surface to maintain soil fertility. In winter, you can enrich the soil with a spadeful of wood ash, which is rich in potash, to improve fruiting.

If you’re concerned about late frosts affecting a young tree, don’t hesitate to wrap it in several layers of winter fleece.

In July, when the nashis are pre-formed, thin them out to obtain larger fruit: keep only 1 to 2 fruits per cluster, favouring the biggest ones.

How to prune a nashi?

The nashi can be pruned in the same way as an apple tree, as pruning encourages new shoots. The tree bears fruit on one- to two-year-old wood, so pruning should favour young shoots.

Since it tolerates repeated formative pruning well, it can be espaliered against a well-exposed wall. In this case, carry out a summer pruning in early summer, shortening young shoots by two-thirds and leaving only 5 or 7 leaves after the fruit, and remove non-fruit-bearing branches.

If you’re growing it as a free-standing tree, you can simply prune your fruit tree every 2 or 3 years between November and March:

1. Before new growth begins, remove dead wood and water shoots
2. Cut back branches growing inward to allow air and light to circulate
3. Every other year, prune overly long branches by two-thirds, cutting above an outward-facing bud
4. Remove any suckers growing at the base of the tree

My tip: if branches are heavily laden with fruit, you may need to prop them up to prevent breakage under their weight.

Diseases and potential pests

The Nashi Pear tree is resistant to diseases. However, like pear and apple trees, it is susceptible to fungal diseases such as Scab and powdery mildew: treat the tree preventatively in spring with Bordeaux mixture sprays. Against aphid infestations, a glue band around the trunk in early spring can prove useful, as can sprays with a mixture of water and black soap. Against the Codling Moth or fruit worm, consider installing pheromone traps in late May and attract bats and insectivorous birds, such as tits!

In overly chalky soil, your tree may suffer from chlorosis, which causes yellowing of the foliage.

Harvest of nashis

When and How to Harvest Them?

You’ll need to wait 2 to 3 years after planting before your nashi tree bears fruit. The harvest of nashis begins in late August and ends in October, depending on the climate. Pick them when fully ripe, as they detach easily from the tree, since they don’t ripen further after harvest.

How to Store Them?

The fruits only keep for 2 to 3 weeks at room temperature. You can store them for 2 to 3 months in a crate or on slatted trays in a cellar, in a cool, dark place or in the refrigerator’s vegetable drawer.

→ Learn more about harvesting and storing apples and pears in our advice guide

What is the taste of Nashi and how is it eaten?

The nashi has a taste similar to pear, its flesh is juicy, tangy, slightly sweet with notes of pineapple, pear and honey.

Once peeled, nashis can be eaten like apples and pears, preferably raw rather than cooked as they release a lot of water. They are perfect simply peeled and eaten with a knife. They are also delicious in fruit salads or to add a refreshing touch to a raw vegetable salad or to companion foie gras. And why not as a compote, coulis or jam! Roasted in the oven, they companion white meats wonderfully.

What are the benefits of Nashi?

Low in juice and low in calories (51 kcal per 100 g), the nashi is rich in water (88g/100g), in fibre, in antioxidants, containing potassium, magnesium, vitamin C, copper and calcium. It’s the perfect cocktail to improve digestion, blood circulation, reduce stress, cholesterol and cardio-vascular diseases.

Nashi propagation

The most commonly used propagation method is grafting onto rootstocks derived from closely related species. Some rootstocks are obtained by sowing pips. The most widespread technique is double cleft grafting, but this propagation method should be reserved for professionals and experienced gardeners.