Jessica, according to the Raintree site (see link below) the KG doesn't pollinate many things, but I think its because its an earlier bloom so it may in fact work OK most years. Re: Shinko, that pear for me is bitter and not very sweet so I am going to chop mine down if it doesn't get any better. Apparently other people do get good fruits off of it, just not me. I would instead recommend a Yoinashi which is an excellent pear (and, it will also be pollen compatible with KG according to Raintree). Yoinashi is about like KG in terms of fireblight resistance; Shinko is the most resistant.

Bareroot trees tend to be cheaper and also cheaper shipping so I nearly always go that route. In a few weeks the potted ones start to be preferred because it will be getting too late for bareroot planting. Potted can be transplanted year-round.

Scott

Here is a link that might be useful: Asian pear pollination chart

In my yard the two are planted together with no other pears around and pollinate each other just fine. The was the frist year they both bloomed. The Korean Giant has had some fireblight while the shinko has not.