Pear Olympic Giant Asian

Olympic Giant Asian Pear

Pyrus pyrifolia ‘Olympic’
Olympic Giant Asian Pear / Korean Giant Asian Pear / Dan Bae

‘Olympic Giant’ is a late-season deciduous fruit tree and Asian pear cultivar known for very large, round, russeted fruit with crisp, juicy, sweet flesh. It is often sold under the names ‘Olympic,’ ‘Korean Giant,’ or ‘Dan Bae.’ The fruit can become very large compared with many Asian pears and is usually eaten crisp right off the tree rather than ripened indoors like European pears. The tree has white spring flowers, glossy green foliage, good fall color, and good fire blight resistance.

Type: Deciduous fruit tree / dwarf or semi-dwarf Asian pear
Mature Size: 8–10 ft. wide × 10–15 ft. tall on dwarfing rootstock; standard forms may grow larger. NC State lists ‘Olympic’ at about 12–15 ft. tall and wide.
USDA Zones: 4a–9b; many nursery sources list zone 4 or 5 through 9.
Form: Compact, upright to rounded fruit tree
Light: Full sun
Soil / Water: Fertile, well-drained soil; average moisture during establishment and fruit sizing; avoid wet, poorly drained sites
Bloom Time / Length: Spring; white flowers bloom with other pears and need compatible pollen for fruit set
Fruit Time: Late season; often fall harvest, with fruit valued for long storage potential
Wildlife: Flowers attract bees and other pollinating insects; ripe or dropped fruit may attract birds, deer, squirrels, raccoons, and other wildlife

Features & Landscape Uses:
Excellent for small orchards, edible landscapes, backyard fruit gardens, espalier, sunny borders, and Asian pear collections. ‘Olympic Giant’ is especially useful where a large, crisp, long-keeping Asian pear is wanted. The fruit is good for fresh eating, slicing, salads, storage, and light kitchen use.

Care:
Plant in full sun with good air circulation. Prune annually during dormancy to maintain structure, control height, and encourage fruiting wood. Thin fruit when crops are heavy to improve size and reduce limb stress. Monitor for fire blight, pear psylla, codling moth, scab, rust, and Japanese beetle damage, though this cultivar is generally noted for good disease resistance. Water young trees during dry periods, especially while fruit is sizing.

Pollination:
Requires cross-pollination with another compatible pear. Choose another Asian pear with overlapping bloom time, or a compatible European pear where bloom overlaps. NC State notes that ‘Olympic’ needs another variety for pollination.

Chill Requirement:
About 400–450 chill hours, depending on source. NC State lists 400 chill hours, while Burnt Ridge lists 450 hours for Korean Giant / Dan Bae. 

Plant type

Fruit Tree

Height

10-15'

Width

8-10'

Hardiness zones

4–9

Sunlight

Full Sun

Growth rate

Moderate

Bloom time

Spring

Flower color

White

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Red

Attracts

Bees, Butterflies

Soil

Moist well-drained, Rich

Landscape use

Accent Plant, Fruit, Home Orchard

Shape

Rounded, Upright

Fruit

Yes

Fragrant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No