Comments on: All About Bradford Pears

By: E. Rowell

E. Rowell — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:50:21 +0000

I have a BP that was planted in September of 2004 when my house was built. My neighbors on both sides also both have BPs, one was planted at the same time as mine and one that was planted a few weeks later. Their trees are leafy and beautiful and tall, just gorgeous they are taller than the rooftops! Mine, on the other hand, looks like the Charlie Brown version of a BP tree. It grows maybe an inch or so every year, but it is spindly with curled up eaves that will turn brown or yellow on the odd occasion and fall off only to grow more and start the process all over again–it also goes through this lose all the leaves and then rebloom thing every spring and every fall. I asked the local nursery if they had any idea as to what might be wrong and after they saw a pict of mine versus the neighbors they said it was probably something buried under my tree that caused the roots to form improperly. They suggested I dig it up, check underneath, clear out debris and try replanting it, or of course, I could get rid of it and buy a new one. It is maybe 12-15 feet tall and 10 feet wide and like I said, it looks just pathetic. Should I give up and put the poor thing out of its misery or try something new? I wondered if I over fertilized and put the tree stakes to close after I moved into the house causing burned roots and stunted growth. Help, please?

By: Charlotte Stone

Charlotte Stone — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 01:32:22 +0000

I have a 15 yr. old bradford pear tree that is full of holes from top to bottom on the main trunk of the tree. What is this and can it be saved ?

By: Ferris Crilly

Ferris Crilly — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 17:31:05 +0000

More likely Sapsucker birds.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 22:58:14 +0000

The holes are probably from bores. They are an insects that live in the wood. They are hard to kill, but they probably won’t kill your tree.

By: Pete Pyzdrowski

Pete Pyzdrowski — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:33:39 +0000

Gee, so I should be looking for a replacement for my thirtysome year old Bradford Pear. The heat and drought seems to have taken a toll on it out here in Odessa TX. It is losing leaves as if it were November. I am distressed to realize that my only tree in the back yard is failing. It shades over a third of the yare and is pleasnt to sit under and ponder….

By: Jholeen Cunningham

Jholeen Cunningham — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 17:36:34 +0000

Keith,
Can you give me some alternatives for a Bradford Pear (similar in size, shape…). We need a mid-sized ornamental shade tree for a small front yard near a driveway. We are looking mainly for one that will shade the front door. Thanks!

By: Josh Slack

Josh Slack — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 23:20:38 +0000

Keith,
I live in Kansas City and have a flowering pear tree that the bark is split and leaves curled up and have brown on them tree looks dead its about 6 years old. I am I able to save it. It look really good until we had a rain and hail storm then it started looking sick. Please help me save my tree.

By: Sandra Earle

Sandra Earle — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 23:14:18 +0000

Keith,
I live in Houston and the hot/humid climate this summer is hard on my Bradford Pear tree. The leaves curl up and some have a little brown on the interior of the leaf close to the vein. Please tell me what I am doing wrong? The tree is 1 1/2 years old and the leaves have always been a pretty green, but the tips curl up.

By: ODIE

ODIE — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 22:45:09 +0000

I have a bradford pear tree that I planted 15 years ago on the east side of the house and we had a very big storm come through an i had just trimmed the tree and the next few days after the storm the tree drops all its leaves now the strange thing is I have the second tree about 30 feet apart and nothing is wrong with this tree. What coul dof happen Im not going to cut it down until I find out the issues can you help

By: Vicki orr

Vicki orr — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 15:21:57 +0000

We have 2 Bradford pear trees, approximately 15 years old that shade our backyard and small lap pool. In the last month they have been dropping pea sized “pods” everywhere and clogging pool equipment as we are out of town most of summer. What r these pods and how long does this last. My husband wants to take them out but I am resisting because it is only shade we have. Any suggestions. Thank you.