Name this tree
- Thread starter chowhound
- Start date
Deelady
New member
chowhound
New member
I Googled Bradford Pear and didn't read anything positive about them, shallow roots, split when they get 20 years old (soft wood), lots of shoots off the roots that mess up your lawn mower.... I wonder how I got these things growing out back. I have three or four of them. I was hoping it was a cherry tree.
sattie
Resident Rocker Lady
These trees seem to be frail at times, I see them fallen over everywhere down here. Plus they are messy trees when the blooms and what not start to fall off. They also have an odor to them that is not pleaseant to some. I almost got one for me front yard, but was advised against it .
They used to be very popular for planting because of the flowers. It was the trendy tree to plant for a long time, but then people started realizing that they don't last very long...
homecook
New member
We've never had a problem with ours. The roots are all buried and they're not coming up in the grass at all and it's been there for 14 years. The only mess is when the flowers drop, but you'll have that problem with any flowering tree. I've never noticed an odor with mine and it's right outside our screened in porch, not to say some do. lol
Ours did get broken on one side from an ice storm 10 years ago but it's still going strong, just lopsided now.
It's possible it's something else altogether!
Ours did get broken on one side from an ice storm 10 years ago but it's still going strong, just lopsided now.
It's possible it's something else altogether!
High Cheese
Saucier
Boid Dookie.
We have a similar variety in the corner of our yard, called a Cleveland Pear. I'm sure it's just a hybrid form of the Bradford variety. It gives beautiful blooms in the Spring and is nicely shaped, but no fruit or berries to mess up the landscape. If you are diligent, you can maintain this tree as a dwarf variety, but you must prune it every year to do so.
Here it is in the right corner of the yard near the house...
Here it is in the right corner of the yard near the house...
chowhound
New member
Hmmm, so if I keep it pruned it will stay this size? That might not be a bad idea then.
Nothing to lose. I'm going to go for it and try to keep it relatively small.
I like your landscaped areas, Joe. I'm trying to do something similar in a couple areas, one I've started and one is where this tree is going, but have no clue what I'm doing. I am landscape challenged :^/
Nothing to lose. I'm going to go for it and try to keep it relatively small.
I like your landscaped areas, Joe. I'm trying to do something similar in a couple areas, one I've started and one is where this tree is going, but have no clue what I'm doing. I am landscape challenged :^/
those are some very pretty trees and a beautiful home 
I'm no genius at landscaping, but I will tell you to keep anything that could get big or tall, a decent distance from the house. I have had to remove two trees after 15 years because they got too big and were starting to touch the house (both pines). Also, be wary of plantings that require lots of water. In drought years their roots will head right for the drainage lines around your house to get their moisture. Then you get to use your new toy to dig it all up and replace the the tile. The ho is fun now, but think how old you'll be in 10 years and decide if you want to be doing that kind of work then.
smoke king
Banned
We have a similar variety in the corner of our yard, called a Cleveland Pear. I'm sure it's just a hybrid form of the Bradford variety. It gives beautiful blooms in the Spring and is nicely shaped, but no fruit or berries to mess up the landscape. If you are diligent, you can maintain this tree as a dwarf variety, but you must prune it every year to do so.
Here it is in the right corner of the yard near the house...
What a beautiful house and yard!
Mr. Green Jeans
New member
Bradford, Cleveland Select, Chanticleer, Redspire, Aristocrat are all selections of an Asian species of pear and they do bear small fruit that persist into the winter and are usually consumed by birds after freeze/thaw cycles soften up and ferment the fruit. Bradford was the first introduced and yes, it does have structural flaws that make it vulnerable to wind or storm damage.
Beautiful Joev!