Pear Shin Li Asian Dwarf

Li Asian Pear

Pyrus pyrifolia ‘Shin Li’
Dwarf Shin Li Asian Pear

‘Shin Li’ is a productive deciduous fruit tree and Asian pear cultivar bred at the University of California. It produces large to very large, pear-shaped fruit with crisp, juicy flesh and aromatic flavor. The fruit is more pear-shaped than many round Asian pears and is generally eaten crisp at harvest rather than softened indoors like a European pear. It blooms in spring with white flowers, carries glossy green foliage through summer, and ripens a late-season crop. NC State lists ‘Shin Li’ as a hybrid Asian pear with good fire blight resistance.

Type: Deciduous fruit tree / dwarf or semi-dwarf Asian pear
Mature Size: About 8–10 ft. wide × 10–15 ft. tall on dwarf or semi-dwarf rootstock; size varies by rootstock and pruning. Edible Landscaping recommends spacing semi-dwarf trees about 10 ft. apart and standard trees about 15 ft. apart.
USDA Zones: 5a–9b
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 blossoms bloom early to midseason and need compatible pollen for reliable fruit set
Fruit Time: Late season; fruit is harvested when crisp and mature, with timing varying by region
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. ‘Shin Li’ is especially useful where a large, aromatic, crisp Asian pear is wanted with improved fire blight resistance. Clemson notes that Asian pear cultivars showing some fire blight resistance include Shinko, Shin Li, Olympic, and Seuri.

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. Water young trees during dry periods, especially while fruit is sizing.

Pollination:
Requires cross-pollination for best fruit production. Plant with another compatible Asian pear or a European pear that blooms at the same time; many Asian pears are not reliably self-pollinating.

Chill Requirement:
About 300–500 chill hours. 

Plant type

Fruit Tree

Height

10-15'

Width

8-10'

Hardiness zones

5–9

Sunlight

Full Sun

Growth rate

Moderate

Bloom time

Spring

Flower color

Light Coral

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Red

Attracts

Bees, Butterflies

Soil

Moist well-drained, Rich

Landscape use

Accent Plant, Fruit, Home Orchard

Shape

Compact, Upright

Fragrant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No