Bradford Pear Trees
I believe in giving the devil his due and, in this case, the "devil" is Bradford pear trees. The experts warn that it's a mistake to plant Bradford pear trees, and rightly so: their limbs break too easily in stormy weather. I've seen the limbs of too many Bradford pear trees lying on the ground after a good wind to buy one myself.
But there's no need to restrict reports of what I've seen to the negative. So in that spirit, let me share what I'm seeing at this very moment, as I look out the window here in my New England home in early December: my neighbor's Bradford pear trees are still almost fully clothed in their orangey-bronze autumn leaves! As such, the Bradford pear trees now stand as autumn's lone torchbearers, since most of the other colorful trees have by now exchanged their autumn garb for winter nudity. I, for one, am grateful for my neighbor's "mistake" in planting Bradford pear trees.
Note on the Comments section below for Bradford pear trees: As of 7/14/2008, 50 comments have been posted, and that's a good cut-off figure (it's getting too unwieldy). No further questions on Bradford pear trees will be answered in the Comments section; instead, please post any questions in the Landscaping forum.
Comments
My Bradford Pear Trees are losing their bark. What can I do?
What action you (can) take depends on what caused the bark to come off. The bark may be coming off due to any number of things, including: mechanical injury, drought, and pest damage. It would be best to have an arborist take a look at the tree to determine exactly what the problem is and what can be done to solve it.
My Bradford Pear Tree will not grow–what can I do?
If you’ve fertilized the tree, watered it and have it planted in the sun, it should grow. If all that’s true and it still doesn’t grow, maybe the soil underneath it is a problem (e.g., poor drainage), so you could eventually try transplanting.
I just planted a young Bradford about a week ago. The last two days we have had 30 MPH winds with gusts up to 40. The leaves of the tree are wilted and look dead. I tried to keep the ground damp but nothing seemed to help. Is my tree ok? What can I do to help it recover?
It’s common for newly transplanted trees to experience transplant shock. Their disturbed roots find it difficult to nourish the leaves with sufficient water, as an established tree would be able to do. High winds simply exacerbate the problem; the result is leaf-wilt.
The positive actions you can take to help the tree at this point, after the fact, are limited. But here’s what not to do: don’t fertilze. Fertilizing would foster extra leaf growth — which you do not want, since the tree’s disturbed roots are already struggling to function properly.
But do water your Bradford pear tree regularly — and play “the waiting game” to see how it pulls through.
Good luck.
I planted 5 small Bradford Pears last year and noticed that they did not flower. I looked up the receipt and they were Bradfords that I purchased. Any Ideas?
The possible reasons for Bradford pear trees not blooming are numerous. For instance, the flower buds could have been damaged by the elements; the trees may not have received sufficient water; there could be a soil deficiency. Pertaining to the latter, when, as a general rule, plants fail to flower, a commonly suggested remedy is fertilizing with phosphorus. But really, the possible causes are so numerous here that one can offer little more than guesswork.
As a follow up comment to my previous question, the tree did grow numerous leaves, but not flowers. Does your answer remain the same?
Yes. Blooming problems in some cases are quite distinct from foliage issues. That’s why plants sometimes leaf out like crazy, yet fail to bloom. This is especially true when the problem is soil-related.
I have 2 bradford pear trees that were planted 3 years ago. One died and the other lived. The soil where the one died is like digging into soft butter, the other tree is in heavy clay. The new tree which is a year younger is growing like crazy and blooming, yet the older one seems to be on life support. Without transplanting and shocking the poor tree, what would be my options to remove/loosen the clay without shocking the tree?
Well, technically, I guess it’s possible to address the problem without transplanting the tree. But let’s get “down to brass tacks,” as they say: one way or another, to address the issue, it seems inevitable that you’ll have to take a chance on shocking the roots. The roots are, after all, right there — right in the way of any work you could possibly do with the soil underneath the tree.
One way to try to elude the roots to aerate the soil underneath them is to use an auger. Says Mario Vaden:
“We prefer the third method – strategically boring small aeration holes that are about 1 to 3 inches in diameter with a small auger bit. Occasionally the bit meets the surface of a root, but it’s easy to reverse the auger and relocate it to the side a few inches.”
I just planted a Bradford Pear tree and someone told me that I will have to plant at least two in order for it to bloom. Is this true?
My understanding is that with Bradford pear trees, male and female parts occur onn the same flower — so no, you don’t need two Bradford pear trees for pollination.
I am in the process of applying a weed control to my lawn. I know my soil is low in pH — so lime is needed. Do I have to wait a certain period of time before applying the lime or can I do it at the same time?
I’m not aware of any need to separate applications of pre-emergent herbicide and lime.
I have a Bradford Pear tree in my front garden that is on the north side of the house. This spring, the tree is leafing out very late as well as very sparsely. The leaf buds that were set last fall are not opening. New shoots are appearing, but at the nodes where last year’s growth comes of the main branches. In the 6 years I’ve had the tree, I’ve never seen this before. Any ideas?
You write that “The leaf buds that were set last fall are not opening.” Just a guess, but perhaps the leaf buds of your Bradford pear tree were slightly damaged (by cold, etc.).
How lose should I palnt a Braford pera to a driveway?
My Question should read how close to the driveway should I plant a Bradford pear
While Bradford pear trees are not known for having troublesome roots, I never recommend planting trees closer to a driveway than you have to. To reduce the chances for damage, consider installing a barrier similar to the bamboo barriers people use to control bamboo. It may be unconventional to suggest such a barrier in this context, but it will put your mind at ease — not only regarding the Bradford pear trees, but anything else you might want to plant there. And even with a barrier, again, err on the side of caution and put a good distance between the driveway and the Bradford pear trees (I don’t have an exact figure).
Our builder/developer planted 16 Bradford Pear trees in lieu of the 16 hardwood shade trees specified in the Town’s regulations. After 6 years, the trees are somewhat “pathetic looking” and do not provide any shade. We do not believe that these trees should have been planted because they do not provide “shade” and I do not believe they are “hardwood” trees. Please provide us with your opinion(s). Thank you very much for your anticipated response.
Bradford pear trees are now usually considered a poor choice (and an unnecessary choice, now that the superior ‘Chanticleer’ cultivar is available as an option for flowering pear trees). To that extent, I’m “on your side.”
However, I wouldn’t push the distinction between “hardwoods” and “Bradford pear trees.” Here’s what the Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources has to say as to what constitutes “hardwood”:
“Hardwood as opposed to softwood is a relative term. Hardwoods are generally defined as the woods of deciduous trees, i.e., trees which shed their leaves in the winter. However, some hardwoods don’t. Moreover, some hardwoods are softer than some softwoods. To confound the situation, the group is divided into hard hardwoods; oak, ash, hickory are examples, and soft hardwoods such as elm, cottonwood, willow, soft maple and so forth. As long as you confine your universe to Iowa or the midwest United States, hardwoods are those species which loose their leaves on an annual basis and softwoods are evergreens.”
So technically, Bradford pear trees could be considered hardwoods, since they are deciduous.
I have two unusually large Bradford Pears that are 13 years old. I have seen the weather destroy many of these trees in my area through the years, however, my trees seem to have been protected from the elements. This year the trees have much larger pears and today, I noticed a very bright orange fuzzy coating or pollen on the pears, which I have never seen before. This substance is falling on the lawn. Is this pollen; is it normal; is it harmful to the lawn or aninmals (squirrels, birds) etc.?
Sorry, I’ve never experienced that on Bradford pear trees. The only thing this even remotely sounds like is brown rot.
I have a Bradford that is two and a half years old. About a month ago I noticed half of the leaves dying on it. What might the problem be, and what can I do?
If the dying leaves on the Bradford pear trees are yellow, it could be overwatering (solution: don’t water so much/provide better drainage). If the dying leaves on the Bradford pear trees are brown, it could be wind burn (solution: provide a windbreak).
Hello I have 2 very large Bradford Pears on my front lawn. They are about 6 years old now and have never given me any troubles until this year. A few months ago I trimmed the branches so they didn’t touch the house and didn’t cover the driveway. Weeks later I noticed branches falling off here and there. I also noticed leaves. I racked my lawn into piles all over the lawn. The trees themselves look healthy so I don’t get it. If I look up the tree I do see here and there branches ready to fall because they are dead. But it’s just small branches at the end and not an entire limb either. Its very sporatic. HELP!
Perhaps you introduced some sort of disease into your Bradford pear trees when you trimmed them? Just a guess — hard to know without being there. Check with your local county extension (usually at the nearest university) to see if they’ve heard of this in your region.
I lost a 13 yr old bradford pear last winter due to a ice storm. Today, the other one in the front yard, I notice is split to about a foot from the ground. Bad wind storms lately. It is beautiful, so we cut some lower limbs and strapped two wrench webbing straps to hold it together. I hope it makes it thur the summer. Never again will I plan one.
Many mature beadfords leaves are turning dark brown. I’ve notice that if you don’t trim off dead leaf branches this will later become fatal to the entire tree. What is this and what can be done?
While Bradford pear trees are resistant to fire blight, that doesn’t mean they’re totally immune to it (especially in warmer climates); so perhaps it’s fire blight that your trees are experiencing. This would account for the brown leaves at the tips of affected branches. Fire blight bacteria can move down the branch and forms cankers, which can eventually kill the branch. Prune off and dispose of the affected branches of Bradford pear trees to stop the spread of the bacteria.
I am wanting to line my drive with Bradford Pear trees. I would need 20 to 30 and I live in Alabama, do you think this would be a good idea or are they to hard to take care of.
I don’t recommend Bradford pear trees, especially on this scale: the branches break too easily, and you could then be out of a lot of money! ‘Chanticleer’ is considered a superior callery pear tree cultivar.
What a resource this is! I have two Bradford Pears near the street, both planted four years ago. One of them has more “pears,” but the inside of the leaves are turning redish-brown, but do not feel or look brittle. The other about fifty feet away planted in the same soil (clay prevalant) is very green and has few “pears.” Is my red tree dying or in trouble? For what it’s worth, they’ve never flowered.
If the leaves “do not feel or look brittle,” it doesn’t sound serious.
You say your Bradford pear trees have never flowered. But if they have pears, must they not have flowered at some point?
I have four non-fruit-bearing Bradford pear trees across my front lawn that are at least 12 years old. Yesterday, one split almost in half during a storm. It actually peeled away from the rest of the tree, leaving a 4-foot “wound”. Should I cut down the rest of the tree, cover the “wound” with something (what?), or leave it alone to recover?
Tree wound paint isn’t as highly touted as it used to be. Combine that with the fact that this specimen’s shape is ruined forever, and I’d have to say cut it down, so that its disfigurement won’t draw attention away from the remaining Bradford pear trees.
my bradford pear has little shallow holes all around the trea in several areas. about pencil eraser depth. they are in a circular pattern for the most part. any ideas
Jill,
If by a “circular pattern” you mean the holes in your Bradford pear tree seem to encircle the trunk, and if those holes are evenly spaced (as if in a pattern, as opposed to scattered all over, helter-skelter), a woodpecker may be responsible. And if a woodpecker is, indeed, the culprit, you don’t need to take any action — it should be fine. Otherwise, I’d say “borers” — and recommend insecticide.
We have a Flowering Bradford that is about 19 years old. It bloomed beautifully this year and had great green leaves. A few turned brown and then almost overnight the whole tree did. We expect the tree has died but want to be sure before we cut it down. Any hope here?
William,
You can see a discussion here about cotton root rot, from which Bradford pear trees apparently can just suddenly die! While I can’t give a definitive diagnosis and/or prognosis over the Web, obviously, it doesn’t look good for your specimen. And considering that Bradford pear trees are supposed to have a life span of only 25-30 years anyhow, I don’t think it unreasonable to suggest that you start thinking about a replacement.
I just got a new Bradford tree two weeks backs, and the leaves are turning brown and eventually coming down, is this due to overwatering or does it mean it needs more water since is pretty much a new tree ?
What is the general requirement of water for this tree? I leave in Michigan as a reference.
Armando,
My guess is that your biggest problem is not how much or how little water your Bradford pear tree is getting, but rather the time of year you decided to plant it. Spring and fall are much better planting times; the summer heat is very difficult for saplings to tolerate.
Your Bradford pear tree is, then, probably just plain stressed out. As to a watering schedule for young Bradford pear trees, I’d say roughly twice a week, although such advice is always “rough,” since there are too many variables to provide a precise watering schedule (size of tree, soil drainage, weather, etc.).
How often are you suppose to water and fertilize bradford pear trees
As for watering Bradford pear trees, see the response to Armando (just above). When Bradford pear trees are established and large, give them a good watering once a week.
I’m not a huge believer in chemical fertilizers, preferring to fertilize with compost, instead. When I do use a chemical fertilizer, I tend to use half of what the directions say. An alternative is to use fertilizer spikes intended for flowering trees (read the directions on the package).
My Bradford pear tree during the past 2 weeks has all of its leaves dead, Scratching the tree, I still see green. It is getting plenty of water. I irrigate my property. I have seen strange looking insects that look like a cross between a yellow jacket and a long legged crawling insect. My tree isn’t mature yet and is about 10 years old. What do you think is going on with it?
The insect doesn’t sound like anything harmful to me. Because you say your Bradford pear tree “is getting plenty of water,” my best guess is that you may be actually over-watering: established Bradford pear trees are relatively drought resistant.
I have a bradford pear tree which I had for about 6 years. I planted it when it was just a small twig now it stands at about 6 ft. It is doing very well except it leans to where I have to brace it up so the wind does not blow it down. Will the tree ever strighten up so I dont have to brace it?
Here are a couple of matters one should think about when it comes to leaning Bradford pear trees (or any other trees, for that matter):
1.When you brace it, are you using an accepted method of staking? Here’s a link to a video on staking:
How to Stake a Tree
A related question is, Are you giving the tree enough of a “brace period” before removing the support? I can’t give an exact number of months/years, but I know some folks are too impatient about staking.
2.Consider the ground under your Bradford pear tree. Is it stable ground, soil that roots can get a toehold in? If not, consider transplanting your Bradford pear tree to another location.
Bradford pear trees are beautiful, but will eventually succumb to storms. I’ve seen many broken pears over the years. Perhaps there are hardier varietals – I don’t know. But I’ll say this: trees take years (decades) to mature. Once a tree succumbs to damage from wind/ice, insects, etc. you lose not only money and labor, but time – and no amount of money and labor will replace time. Plant trees that will survive and thrive. Bradford pear trees look great at 5-10 years, but once they grow larger they’re very susceptible to wind and ice damage. Plant species that will stand the test of time. Pears are pretty, but eventually you’ll probably find yourself w/a broken tree, a chainsaw and stump removal. And you can never get the lost time back.
Just my opinion.
I planted three Bradford Pears last fall. This year small leaves appeared on the trees but very sparsly. I live in NJ and I have not seen this problem before. Any suggestions? Will the trees be OK?
Hi Martha,
Please post your question on Bradford pear trees in the Landscaping forum, as per the note above in this blog post.
I planted a Bradford Pear tree a few months ago. Approx 8 ft tall right now, and it was fairly leafless at the time of purchase. Now it has a nice full top, but there are lots of “suckers” at the bottom of the trunk with lots of leaves. Should I cut off the suckers to increase foliage at the top?
Hi Mike,
Please post your question on Bradford pear trees in the Landscaping forum, as per the note above in this blog post.
I planted my Bradford Pear approximately 15 years ago. It has been through Hurricane George, Katrina and now Gustav and still looks beautifully shaped. I love it’s color year round.
My Hubby and I planted a Bradford tree about 6 weeks ago. We thought that it had fire blight about 3 weeks ago but the local nursery observed the leaves and said that it was just stressed from the late summer planting. Now we noticed that it is starting to flower! What is happening? Does this mean that it wont flower next spring??? Help!!
Debi,
As per the message above in the accompanying blog post, please ask questions about Bradford pear trees in the Landscaping Forum.
I can tell you this much, though. It’s not uncommon for stressed plants to bloom prematurely. Nor would I count too much on blooms next year: plants often need time to become established before blooming properly.
Should I trim back my Bradford Pear tree, and if so, what’s the best strategy and method to use? Thanks.
Darryl,
As per the note above in this blog post, questions on Bradford pear trees should now be posted in the Landscaping forum. Thank you.
We just lost our Bradford Pear Tree in a windstorm. Over half the tree is now missing. Up until this point we have loved our pear tree. Beautiful spring, summer, fall and winter. It has shaded our patio for years. We have tried to keep it thinned out so the wind would not cause it to split, but this last storm (IKE) took it out. They are beautiful trees but just cannot take wind once they are full. My husband wants to keep planting them, and just move a new one in to replace the one that we will eventually loose. It is inevitable. But I am ready to try something else that will have staying power.
Thanks.
I am wanting to trim / top my Bradford. What time of year and how drastically should I cut it back? It is 25′ tall and I have heard all the horror stories.
Lance,
All questions on Bradford pear trees are now being answered in the Landscaping forum. Here’s the link:
Landscaping Forum
Thank you.
25 years old, it just decided to split. John the Village horticulturist said it was a potential time bomb. I only lived here for a year and it took 15 large clear bags to rake last year and I was planning on checking this years count. Its an 9 foot stump now!!!
I have gone to that link for lanscaping and when I do a search for bradford pear trees I get absolutely nothing, just the front page
why did this list get shut down, it seemed so focused?
I have two bradford pear trees that are about 16 years old and huge. Considering a severe prune and looking for some guidance. Here is Tennessee it is a common practice what are anyone’s thoughts on it?
Hi BtrentwoodTom,
Welcome aboard!
What I meant was that when you get to the forum page, you should post your question (not do a search), so that you can open up a new discussion on Bradford pear trees there. I apologize if that wasn’t clear.
The Comments section didn’t “get shut down”; I’d just like to reserve it for the function that it’s best suited to serve: posting comments. The forum, by contrast, is set up in such a way that it’s better suited for questions than the Comments section is.
But since we’re here right now, let me tackle your question on Bradford pear trees. I’d recommend reading the info on this site about pruning Bradford pear trees, in general.
However, regarding a severe pruning of older Bradford pear trees, you can run into a bit of a problem, in terms of their appearance afterwards. It’s easier to prune younger Bradford pear trees and then keep after them. As they get older, their branches grow so large that pruning them off really tends to spoil that classic Bradford pear tree shape that’s such a big part of their beauty.
Personally, then, I’d avoid the severe pruning and just accept that, being Bradford pear trees, they will eventually succumb to damage. In the meantime, you could start some younger replacements somewhere else on the landscape.
Whatever you decide to do, best of luck with your Bradford pear trees!
when is the best time to plant?? I was told it is in the fall. how late in the fall can you plant or how early in spring??? Any help is appreciated!!
J,
The following article will answer your question; it breaks trees down into “evergreen” and “deciduous” categories (Bradford pear trees being deciduous):
“What’s the Best Time to Plant Trees?“
When do you fertilize bradford pears and what number of fertilize should you use. Thanks
Is it possible to protect a bradford pear tree before a storm can damage it, by strapping the trunk in several places to avoid splitting?
Mike and Nora,
If you use fertilizer spikes to fertilize Bradford pear trees, you don’t have to be fussy about timing the fertilizing, since they are slow-release.
I have no experience with protecting bradford pear trees from storm damage by “strapping,” but it’s an interesting idea.
I have 3 bradford pear trees and I planted them all one year ago, 1 of them is flowering and blooming very nicely and the other two have cracks in the trunk of the tree that you can see pretty far in to the tree. What should I do? Are the trees dead and what caused it?
Hi, We live in Las Vegas. Last year we planted a bradford pear tree in our yard and it seems to grow pretty healthily. It flowered just a couple of weeks ago when the weather turned warmed. Is this the right time of the year to give it plant food? What kind of plant food is right for the tree? Thanks!
Lavender,
If you use fertilizer spikes to fertilize Bradford pear trees, you don’t have to worry about the exact timing of the fertilizing, since they are slow-release.
Texas,
Stress from high winds could have caused those cracks in the trunks of your Bradford pear trees. If it were a different type of tree, perhaps I’d suggest attempting repair. But this is probably just the beginning of your problems with Bradford pear trees. I’d start looking for a replacements — ask at your local nursery for something that will stand up to high winds.
I have a bradford in my yard and many are in the neighborhood. The fragrance of them is horrible. It has a rotten or animal urine smell. I know it sounds crazy but the neighborhood smells like it. I have walked up and smelled them. Has anyone noticed this too? I am new to these trees.
Brian,
You are not alone: some people think Bradford pear tree flowers stink.
I have a 3 year old Bradford Pear and did great the first year. The second year we put a flower bed around the tree and the third year it suffered during an ice storm. Now it barely produces leaves? It bloomed beautifully the past two weeks, but most of the trees in the neighborhood are full with leaves. Do you think my problem might be the flower bed or the ice storm? And then anything I can do?
Thanks,
Trisha – Oklahoma City
Trish,
I’d tend to blame the problem with your Bradford pear trees on the ice storm (about which there’s not much you can do, unfortunately), since planting trees in raised beds isn’t necessarily problematical.
I have a Japanese neighbor that speaks very broken English, so I told her I would try to help her. She has three bradford pear trees in her yard. One has bloomed, and two haven’t bloomed yet. They have probably been in the ground fours years. Any reason for the two to not bloom?
Donna,
The are many possible reasons for Bradford pear trees not blooming. For example, flower buds are sometimes damaged in cold winters; the trees may not have received sufficient water; your soil could be deficient in nutrients (having a soil test done never hurts).
Nor should you put too much stock in the fact that one of the Bradford pear trees has bloomed: that one could simply have been a healthier specimen at the time of purchase, or the soil under it could be slightly different, or the other two could have sustained some sort of injury along the way (e.g., at planting time).
Our 10 yr. old Bradford Pear tree lost many limbs due to snow and ice covering the newly formed blossoms this weekend. One side is completely gone. Is there anyway to repair it?
Susan,
In a word, no. Part of the beauty of Bradford pear trees is their shape, and once that is lost due to the loss of limbs, their aesthetic value declines (they’ll always look “uneven”). Thus the recommendation to switch to Chanticleer pear trees.
I have (6) large Bradford Pear trees in my yard. They were all planted when I built my home 6 years ago. All are beautiful and very full. The trunks are probably 10 inches in diameter and the limb span is probably 15+ feet wide. All of a sudden, I’ve noticed that (3) of them are starting to have dead leaves. It is weird, the tree overall looks ultra healthy, however the end part of 6-10 limbs are turning brown and wilting. Some of the damaged leaves are half brown and half green. And the affected limbs are only the ends (about a foot), the remainder of the limb / leaves towards the trunk look great.
Any help and/or comments would be great.
Regards- David
my neighbor asked me to remove our Bradford Pear tree because it is inhibiting the growth of the other hardwoods. Is that possible? And should I remove it?
Thanks!
Sarita,
I can’t advise you on whether or not you “should” remove your Bradford pear tree. That’s really a personal decision. If it’s planted on your own land and isn’t threatening destruction of another’s property, you would seem to have every right to it.
But if you wanted to be extra-cautious about staying on this neighbor’s good side, you could, of course, give in and remove your Bradford pear tree. But someone who would ask you to do that sounds like a potential bad neighbor to me.
As to the Bradford pear tree’s inhibiting the growth of other trees, that sort of thing is always possible, sure (if it’s shading them, then it could be inhibiting their growth).
David,
Just a guess regarding the problem with your Bradford pear trees, but perhaps the reason the inner parts weren’t damaged (by whatever inclement weather you may have had?) is that they were shielded by the outer parts (which, in turn, had nothing to shield *them*).
Do Bradford pear trees produce more pollen than other trees?
Spring allergies, three large limbs down, one damaged vehicle and one trip to the emergency room…we’re considering removing three 20 year old Bradfords.
Any feedback is appreciated.
Russell,
I do not see Bradford pear trees specifically mentioned (one way or the other) in the article linked to from this blog on hypoallergenic trees.
My recommendation on how to care for Bradford Pear trees is simple; pull them up if small or cut them down if large. You don’t want them period.
Yes they look nice and are shapely. But once they mature the branches will break and you’ll have to cut it all down anyway. If you’re lucky no one will be hurt or any property damaged. So in my opinion you may as well get it over with and start planting something else. Ironwood (American Hophornbeam) is a nice replacement, but there are of course many other small to mid-sized trees to choose from.
We’ve got many of them in our neighborhood, a good number have suffered this fate, and the rest will once they get larger.
They’re considered an invasive species for a reason.
our bradford pear resides in a garden area in the front of our house with a northern exposure. The problem I’m having is the proliferation of suckers (?)throughout the adjacent area of our yard. Usually I control them with garden shears but this season they are so numerous that the concept of ” barefoot lawn” is a stretch. I’m prepared to remove this otherwise healthy specimen. Suggestions please.
Our beautiful bradford pear tree was pulled from the ground after some high winds. It is not split or snapped off. What can I do to pull it back up and try to save it? How do we anchor it to stay up? I would hate to lose this tree. It is about 7 years old.
Brenda,
I would try to stake your Bradford pear tree. This information on staking trees may help:
How to Stake Trees
Larry,
Suckering is just another of the drawbacks with Bradford pear trees. Unfortunately, manual control is the only viable control method, as the root system would take up any herbicide applied and it would harm the parent plant.
is it normal for a bradford pear tree to flower again in august & septmeber??
Kinsmom,
It’s not terribly unusual to have trees bloom out of season like that. I, myself just had a magnolia bloom for me.
My parents have a 10 year old Bradford Pair tree which is planted in the ground outside, that they think they over watered because after 3 days of wind with gusts up to about 40, the tree was left halfway blown over like there is no tap root to ground it. Is this the case? Does the tree have just feeders with no tap root. I haven’t read this whole site and do not know if this has been addressed before. Thanks for your input. Bill