Hood pear

The Hood pear tree bears enormous, yellow-green fruit. The meat is faintly flavored and has a distinct scent. Hood pear trees, a popular Asian pear, require relatively little cold (1-200 hours). Fire blight resistance is excellent. Other Asian pears, particularly the Flordahome pear, pollinate it. USDA Zones 6 through 10. An extremely sturdy tree that produces a large number of edible fruits. Hood pear trees thrive in the moderate winter climes of Southern California, including Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Orange County. Most of the United States, down to USDA Zone 6, are cold tolerant.

'Hood' is a popular cultivar for growing in warmer climates. It bears pears that are chartreuse green with russet mottling. The flesh is sweet and mild with a melting texture, making it ideal for fresh eating as well as baking and preserving. In early spring, soft, white blossoms appear, followed by huge, squat fruits that mature in early August. Autumn leaves put on a colorful display of yellow and orange. The mature height of the upright, oval shape is 15 to 20 feet, with a spread of 12 to 15 feet.