20th Century is probably the most popular Asian Pear commercially grown in the United States and certainly was in Japan and China until the mid-20th century. It originated from a chance seedling discovered in 1888 by a young boy in Yatsuhshira, Japan and was named Shin Daihaku in 1900. Its name later changed in 1904 to 20th Century. The original tree was designated as a national monument in 1935 in Japan. This variety is extremely cold hardy on P. betulaefolia rootstock and is both heat and drought tolerant once established.
The Fruit
Fruit Firm
Fruit Quality Very good to Excellent
Fruit’s skin color when ripe Golden yellow
Fruit Flavor Mildly sweet and juicy.
Fruit texture Crisp like and apple with some grit towards the core.
Flesh color White
Fruit size Variable. Medium to large.
Production Very productive. Trees usually need to be thinned.
Additional information
Botanical name Pyrus pyrifolia ‘Nijisseiki’
Aroma frooty
Common names Apple Pear, Nijisseiki, 20th Century
Family Rosaceae (Rose Family)
Grafted Yes (Inquire for specific rootstock availability)
Ripening season Mid. August – early September.
Mature Height 12-25 feet; dependent upon pruning techniques.
Mature Width 8-15 feet.
Pollination requirements Plant 2 or more different varieties no more than 30 feet apart. If growing in rows, plant 12 feet apart in rows 17-18 feet apart. Pollenated by: Hosui, Shinseiki and Bartlett (European Pear)
Fall Color Brilliant orange red
Chill Hour Minimum 300-400.
Yield 100-200 fruits within 4-5 years; 200-400 fruits per tree at 8-10 years.
Growth rate Moderate
