Flowering Pear Trees

Info

Bradford pear (Pyrus calleryana ‘Bradford') is a beautiful spring-flowering tree that has gained popularity in the past 20 years and is frequently seen in nearly every city within its growing range. The Bradford pear is a true harbinger of spring! I think that one of the most attractive features of this thornless tree is the display of showy white flowers that appear in spring, usually before the leaves. In the fall the leaves turn mahogany-red and then sometimes bright orange-red by late autumn.

Varieties

  • Bradford

    Very nice tree to plant along the driveway or street where space is limited and where it can be seen. In early spring tree is covered in white flowers. Average maturity height is 40’ tall. Holds a narrow shape. Depending on the need and desired look, Bradford pears can be planted as close as 6’ apart but 8-12’ apart is more common.

  • Cleveland Select

    Excellent tree with dense white flowering in early spring and purple fall coloring. Attractive, upright, oval form and glossy green leaves. Average maturity height is 15’. Superior branch structure that withstands ice and wind damage. Tolerates urban conditions and heavy soils.

Care and Maintenance

  1. Preparing the Hole

    Dig the hole as deep as the root ball, and as much as three times as wide as the diameter of the root ball. Breaking up the soil around the tree provides the newly emerging roots room to grow into loose soil to hasten establishment.

  2. Placing Your Tree

    Place the tree carefully in the center of the hole after removing it from the container. The tree's root collar (the bulge right above the root system) should be just above the top of the soil. Don't dig the hole too deep. It is better if the root collar is slightly (1 to 2") higher than ground level because of possible setting.

  3. Filling the Hole

    Carefully fill the hole with soil when the tree is positioned and straight. Fill the hole about 1/3 full and lightly push the soil around the base of the root ball. Fill the remainder of the hole taking care to gently but firmly pack soil to eliminate air pockets that may cause the roots to dry out. Don't plant the tree too deep. Back fill the soil to the height just below the root collar.

  4. Mulching

    Place 2 to 4 inches of mulch in a 2 to 3 foot circle around the tree. Keep the mulch from touching the trunk to keep fungus from growing on the trunk. Mulch can be aged wood chips or bark. Mulch helps keep roots moist and insulates them, and prevents weed growth. It is not recommended to apply fertilizer at the time of planting.

  5. Watering

    Water the tree well as soon as you plant it. Water the tree at least once a week for the first year after planting. A slow, root-saturating, one-hour trickle once a week is recommended for a new tree. The watering schedule should be adjusted accordingly if it rains or is very dry.