Bradford pear trees

[Michie]

The nice looking young man at the nursery suggested these trees for my backyard Any opinions?

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

We have one in our front yard and they were a VERY popular choice when the homebuilders in our neighborhood were planting trees in the yards of all the homes here. They're alright, I guess. Ours has pretty white/pink flowers in the sping, but AFAIK they are non fruit bearing.

TOV

 

[Fan2CSkr]

They are pretty trees.

 

[minkydog]

They are very pretty, but beware--their limbs are brittle. If you live in an area which experiences heavy snow, ice or wind you may lose limbs in a storm. The flowers absolutely stink, but they're so pretty I try to overlook it.

 

[LoriKay]

Our landscaper suggested using a Cleveland Select pear as an alternative to a Bradford because they are sturdier when it comes to ice, wind, etc. We did as he suggested and it looked the same to me as a Bradford.

 

[Planogirl]

We have Bradfords and had an arborist come out to check them just after we moved in. He warned that they had to be trimmed frequently and correctly because otherwise the limbs tend to split off the tree. We've had it done and so far we haven't had any split limbs even though a few of our neighbors have.

They are lovely trees. They have a nice shape, pretty blooms in the Spring and great colors in the Fall.

 

[Beca]

We have 6 VERY large ones in our yard. They are nice shade trees....but, I hope you really enjoy raking leaves in the fall.....messy, messy, messy!!!!

I much prefer live oaks....they are REALLY nice!!



Beca

 

[laurabelle]

I'm not sure how old my Bradford Pear tree was, but they're notorious for splitting with age, and it doesn't take much wind to do take it down.
Here's mine going down last fall...

Sorry, I can't recommend them.

 

[princesspumpkin]

I planted one in our front yard. It grew very big and we loved it. A storm came and uprooted it and away it went. I sure do miss that tree. The children used to climb and play on the branches, but we didn't lose any.

 

[Michie]

Can I just plant one or do I need to plant more than that for cross pollenation?

 

[Denine]

Can I just plant one or do I need to plant more than that for cross pollenation?

You only need to plant one, but I would recommend the Cleveland pear variety. They both have very pretty shape and flowers.

 

[CarolA]

These trees STINK! The town I used to live in had them everywhere. The builders like them because they grow fast (Of course they also tend to fall easily)

This time of the year it just STINKS. There is one in my complex and every time I walk by it I want to gag!

 

[DawnCt1]

I'm not sure how old my Bradford Pear tree was, but they're notorious for splitting with age, and it doesn't take much wind to do take it down.
Here's mine going down last fall...

Sorry, I can't recommend them.

That's exactly what happened to my neighbor's. Luckily ours is still standing. Quite a few people on our street have them so it does look nice in the spring.

 

[WDWAurora]

The smell is enough to turn me off of those things....EW

 

[The Mystery Machine]

They smell like cat pee and attracts flies instead of bees.

Now if you are looking for a fast growing tree that will last on average 10-15 years, then this is the tree for you. It flowers and has nice fall color.

Just don't plant them right next to the house or front door.

 

[pjshaff]

I'd go for the Cleveland Select Pear for the reasons mentioned above and it is a much sturdier variety of Pear. Check out Walter Reeves' web site for some great information.

 

[Michie]

I'd go for the Cleveland Select Pear for the reasons mentioned above and it is a much sturdier variety of Pear. Check out Walter Reeves' web site for some great information.

Does the Cleveland have a bad smell?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Does the Cleveland have a bad smell?

They all do, but the flowers don't last that long. The real issue is the tree splitting/falling. Assess where you want to plant it and if it sustains strong winds, ice, etc..Like facing north, probably not a great spot to plant it.

 

[DaisyD]

They are beautiful in the spring but that is about it. The berries in the fall make a huge mess! They get on your shoes and on the cars. The birds love them which spreads them everywhere! They are also very brittle. Since we've moved here 10 years ago we have lost all 5 of ours along our front yard. Every time we got a thunderstorm it seemed one split. One day DD and I were out front playing on a nice sunny day and 20 ft away half a tree came crashing down. Not a breeze around! They are pretty but too dangerous.