The Bradford pear tree is known scientifically as Pyrus calleryana
Pyrus calleryana
Pyrus calleryana, or the Callery pear, is a species of pear tree native to China and Vietnam, in the family Rosaceae. It is most commonly known for its cultivar 'Bradford', widely planted throughout the United States and increasingly regarded as an invasive species.
Why are Bradford pear trees bad?
Why Bradford pear trees are bad? Deeper problems with the tree as an invasive species result from its runaway propagation, including crowding out native plants and not being a host to native insects. It is also a fragile tree, and when grown in open-air yards, a Bradford Pear is prone to weak branches .
What is the life expectancy of a Bradford pear tree?
The Bradford pear tree lifespan is 15-25 years, often topping out at 20 years. Despite its hardiness, it is genetically predisposed to a short life. Its branches grow upward at an unusually steep angle, causing it to split apart easily when the branches become too heavy.
Can you eat the fruit from a Bradford pear tree?
There are countless problems when planting Bradford Pear Trees, but its fruit being poisonous is not one of them. The tiny berries that these trees bear are not toxic but not edible and not considered food by humans. Some animals, though, will still eat the berries that fall off from ornamental trees.
Are Bradford pears good eating?
non-fruiting pear trees that adorn many South Carolina landscapes is unnecessary, expensive and potentially could do more harm than good. The state is banning the sale of Bradford pears in 2024 ...
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Is Bradford pear fruit edible?
ANSWER: The little berries (aka pomes) are the the fruit of the Bradford Pear, and are considered inedible by humans.
Do Bradford pear trees make pears?
Bradford pear trees are self-incompatible, meaning two Bradford pear trees will not produce a viable fruit. However, they will cross pollinate with other pear trees which produce wild thorny pear trees we see in our forest and edges of fields today, choking out native growth trees and shrubs.
Do all Bradford pear trees have berries?
A: 'Bradford' pear is a selection of a wild Asian pear, Pyrus calleryana, that has thorns. 'Bradford' usually has berries – some trees more than others.
How long does it take a Bradford pear tree to produce fruit?
The tree is precocious (often 3 years to fruit), the first to leaf out in the spring and the last to drop its leaves in the fall/winter. All of these qualities are noteworthy, yet have gone largely unnoticed due to one thing: The original 'Bradford' tree was self sterile.
Why are Bradford pear trees illegal?
The tree was placed on the invasive species list in Ohio in January 2018, meaning in-state nurseries and landscapers must phase out selling the trees over the next five years. Experts say all native species in South Carolina will struggle as long as the Bradford pear tree survives.
Will a Bradford pear pollinate a fruiting pear?
A: Bradford pear will pollinate fruiting pears. The fruiting tree will bear the same fruit you always enjoyed but the seeds inside, if planted, will result in a wild pear that bears small inedible fruit.
What is the fruit on a Bradford pear tree?
Bradford pears are one of the first flowering trees in the spring, and one of the last trees to have colorful leaves in the fall. White blossoms of Bradford pear are about a half-inch in diameter. Bradford pear fruits are small, round, and hard until they soften after the first frost.
Are Bradford pear berries poisonous?
Toxicity to Human Adults The seeds of the Bradford pear are no more toxic than any other type of pear seed. However, its seed to pulp ratio is particularly high. Theoretically, it's fairly easy to eat enough Bradford pears to poison yourself. But Pyrus calleryana isn't typically grown for its fruit.
What are the little balls on a Bradford pear tree?
Answer: Bradford pear trees produce little berries that birds are fond of eating. A seed lies inside of those berries.
Why do Bradford pear trees smell bad?
They're smelly: “Flies are their pollinators, and flies like going to places that smell bad,” Fair said. Bees also pollinate the trees, but flies are primary pollinators, Oten said. They have weak branches: A mild wind storm will give you a mess to clean up in your yard.
What is the lifespan of a Bradford pear tree?
Bradford pears will seldom last more than 20 years before they bust themselves apart at the seams. That's actually the good news. In an attempt to extend the lifespan of this despicable tree, other varieties such as Cleveland Select, etc.
Do Bradford pear trees attract mosquitoes?
Because of that factor, it is considered a pest plant in many U.S. areas. Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 8, "Bradford" pear rarely attracts insect pests, although pear thrips and ash whiteflies occasionally attack the tree.
Where do Bradford pear trees grow?
Bradford pear ( Pyrus calleryana ‘Bradford’) is a spring-flowering tree that has been widely planted throughout the eastern U.S. in the last few decades. It is a popular tree that is frequently seen in nearly every city within its growing range. The species is a native of China, Taiwan, Japan, and Vietnam; the cultivar ‘Bradford’ is ...
How tall is a Bradford pear?
Mature Height/Spread. The Bradford pear grows 30 to 50 feet tall and 20 to 30 feet wide. It has a wider and more erect, branchier canopy than the species.
What is the disease on callery pear trees?
The ‘Bradford’ cultivar of callery pear is relatively resistant, although not immune, to most pests and diseases, including fire blight. Fire blight is a common problem of many pear species where the ends of twigs and leaves (and fruit, in fruit-producing trees) become blackened as the disease progresses further down the branches. Affected leaves will remain attached, and a shepherd’s hook bend in the twig may be noticed. (For more information on fire blight of fruit trees, refer to HGIC 2208, Fire Blight of Fruit Trees ).
What color are the leaves on a Bradford Pear tree?
In the fall, the leaves turn mahogany-red and sometimes bright orange-red. Bradford pears are one of the first flowering trees in the spring, and one of the last trees to have colorful leaves in the fall. White blossoms of Bradford pear are about a half-inch in diameter.
How long are callery pears?
Callery pears also have thorns ranging from ¼-inch long to over 2-inches long and can cause extensive damage to equipment by land managers that are trying to remove them from their property. Callery pears in bloom, spreading along the edge of woods in Upstate South Carolina.
Why do pears split in half?
The narrow branching angles cause trees to split in half, especially when subjected to ice and storm conditions. Sapsuckers will occasionally attack Bradford pears, but this damage rarely does any real harm to the tree. In almost all cases, the tree heals from these wounds.
Why do fig trees bloom in the fall?
Occasionally the tree will flower in the fall, usually due to some stress factor, like drought. The flowers, unfortunately, have an unpleasant fragrance. Small, round, brown fruit then appear but are hidden by the leaves. Fruits are about the size of a marble and are often eaten by birds.
Can you eat the fruit from a Bradford pear tree?
There are countless problems when planting Bradford Pear Trees, but its fruit being poisonous is not one of them. The tiny berries that these trees bear are not toxic but not edible and not considered food by humans. Some animals, though, will still eat the berries that fall off from ornamental trees.
How do I distinguish a Bradford Pear tree?
A Bradford tree is categorized as a small to medium-sized tree, which gives you an immediate idea of what to look for first in case you want to know if that tree in your street is a Bradford Pear. The average size of a Bradford ranges between 30 to 40 feet.
Where do Bradford pear trees grow?
Answer: According to Wikipedia, the Bradford pear trees grow in 25 of our 50 states. Maryland was not specifically mentioned other than that tree becoming an invasive species in "eastern and mid-Western North America" states. The article also mentioned strands of them growing along roadsides, etc. in northeastern states.
When were Bradford pear trees first planted?
Many Bradford Pear trees, which were first introduced commercially by the United States Department of Agriculture in 1963 , are now grown in landscapes far and wide due to their decorative and fast-growing attributes. The photos in this article were all taken by me.
How tall is a Bradford pear tree?
Here is where Bradford Pear trees and other fast-growing varieties came into play. Not only could this type rapidly provide shade, often attaining a height of 15 feet in about five years, it also had the ornamental effect already described.
Can you pick Bradford pear trees outside?
It would be lovely to go outside and be able to pick pears. Ethel Smith from Kingston-Upon-Hull on September 20, 2018: Beautiful trees and images thanks Peggy.
Do Bradford pear trees eat birds?
Answer: Yes . That is the fruit of the Bradford pear tree. Eventually, those nut-like balls harden and dry out in the winter months. Birds eat them and the seeds get dispersed that way. In many places, the Bradford pear tree has become invasive displacing native trees and plants in open fields, etc. for that reason.
Is a Bradford pear tree invasive?
djsstuart on January 17, 2013: Hate to be a downer, but Bradford Pear trees are highly invasive and are displacing native trees and plants around the world. They are not nutritionally complete for birds and wildlife and are on every government removal list I know of-a junk tree.
Mature Height/Spread
Growth Rate
Ornamental Features
- The most attractive feature of this thornless tree is the showy white flowers that appear before the leaves in the spring. Early spring flowering may last two weeks, but spring frosts may reduce bloom time. Occasionally the tree will flower in the fall, usually due to some stress factor, like drought. The flowers, unfortunately, have an unpleasant fragrance. Small, round, brown fruit the…
Landscape Use
- Bradford pear may be grown as a specimen, screen, or street tree. Bradford pear grows best in full sun but will tolerate part shade. It requires low-to-medium fertility. It tolerates most soil types and conditions, including occasional wet soils or drought. It is also tolerant of pollution. Unfortunately, because of its invasive tendencies, planting any P. calleryanacultivar is no longer recommended …
Problems
- The ‘Bradford’ cultivar of callery pear is relatively resistant, although not immune, to most pests and diseases, including fire blight. Fire blight is a common problem of many pear species where the ends of twigs and leaves (and fruit, in fruit-producing trees) become blackened as the disease progresses further down the branches. Affected leaves will remain attached, and a shepherd’s h…
Invasiveness
- Pyrus calleryanaand cultivars are on the Invasive Plant Pest Species of South Carolina list. Although the ‘Bradford’ pear was originally bred as sterile and thornless, they readily cross-pollinate with other cultivars of callery pears and subsequently produce viable fruit. The ripened fruit is eaten and disseminated by birds, which results in very ...
Related Cultivars
- ‘Aristocrat’ – Although this cultivar has a stronger branching structure than ‘Bradford,’ it is more susceptible to fire blight, which can devastate a planting. It will grow 35 to 40 feet tall and...
- Chanticleer® – (same as ‘Cleveland Select’, ‘Select’, and ‘Stone Hill’). This cultivar grows 35 feet tall and 16 feet wide. Its form is more upright pyramidal than that of ‘Bradford.’ This cultivar...
- ‘Redspire’ – This cultivar has a pyramidal form with more yellow than red fall color. It is quite …
- ‘Aristocrat’ – Although this cultivar has a stronger branching structure than ‘Bradford,’ it is more susceptible to fire blight, which can devastate a planting. It will grow 35 to 40 feet tall and...
- Chanticleer® – (same as ‘Cleveland Select’, ‘Select’, and ‘Stone Hill’). This cultivar grows 35 feet tall and 16 feet wide. Its form is more upright pyramidal than that of ‘Bradford.’ This cultivar...
- ‘Redspire’ – This cultivar has a pyramidal form with more yellow than red fall color. It is quite susceptible to fire blight.
- Other cultivars are: ‘Autumn Blaze’, ‘Capital’, ‘New Bradford’, ‘Whitehouse’, Jack™, Jill™, and ‘Fauriei’.
Fast-Growing Specimens
Pruning Considerations
- Most fast-growing trees are generally not as long-lived as other slower-growing types. Bradford Pear trees can get to be between 25 to 30 years of age if well-tended. Pruning will not only keep them aesthetically looking better but will preserve them from their main enemy, that of wind or ice storms lopping off branches. The growth habit of this tr...
Pyrus calleryana
- A native of China and Korea, the Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana)is the progenitor of the most commonly cultivated Bradford Pear tree. Other varieties might offer some advantages, and people can find them through local nurseries or mail order sites. We see entire boulevards in some areas of Houston planted with Bradford Pear trees. They are kept nicely pruned and are beautiful to enj…
Sources
Questions & Answers
- Question:I live in Cedar Hill, Texas and the Bradford trees are blooming in red. Why? They have been doing that for 19 years and this is the time of year that they bloom. Answer:I know of no Bradford pear trees that bloom in red. They all have white blossoms. There are a number of other trees in Texas that have red to pink blossoms or even red seed pods. Some of them include the …
Comments Are Most Welcomed!
- Peggy Woods (author)from Houston, Texas on October 26, 2019: Hello Carla, Unfortunately, Bradford Pear trees are short-lived and unless pruned properly, they are prone to losing branches. There is probably not much that can be done for your tree. If you read this entire article, and the comments, there are much better and longer-lived trees to take the place of your Bradford Pear t…