Pyrus Asian Pear cv. 20th Century

20th Century Asian Pears have an upright growth habit similar to most pears. I prune them rather hard to outward facing buds in order to encourage the branching structure to spread out. Besides their wonderful fruit 20th Century Asian Pears put on a great fall color display. I like both the turning leaves and the silhouette shape of the lower portion of the tree. The upper whips will be cut back leaving 3-4 leaf buds on each. Leaving more and the tree easily could break itself down under the weight of the fruit. 20th Century Asian Pears are more susceptible to fire blight than some of the other varieties. I have to watch particularly closely in the early summer to remove all damaged branches. Fire blight usually starts in the fruiting spurs. They blacken and the blackness creeps down the branch. The fire blight spreads very rapidly and can kill a tree in a season or two if the blight is left to its own devices. Given a reasonable amount of attention in the Summer to remove the damaged material the 20th Century Asian Pear is easy to grow. In our garden the trees bloom with their white flowers in Mid January and the fruit comes on in mid summer and is on the tree for about a month before it is picked or the last fruit is taken by the birds. The Chojuro Asian Pear is similar in growth habit and production and has russeted fruit.