Why so many Bradford pears are coming down
Bradford pears were planted everywhere in the 1980s and 1990s: subdivisions, parking lots, front yards. They grow fast, flower early and have a neat, rounded shape. The problem is how that shape is built.
- Weak forks. Most of the main branches grow up from nearly the same spot on the trunk, with tight V-shaped unions. As the tree gets heavier, those unions split, and often half the tree comes down at once.
- Short lifespan. Many Bradfords start falling apart somewhere around 15 to 25 years old. A lot of the trees planted in Chattanooga neighborhoods a generation ago are now at that age.
- Ice and wind. They're among the first trees to break in an ice storm or a strong thunderstorm.
The invasive problem
Bradfords were sold as sterile, but they cross-pollinate with other Callery pear varieties. Birds eat the small fruit and drop the seeds along roads, in pastures and at the edges of woods. Those wild Callery pears grow into thorny thickets that crowd out native plants. The Callery pear is on the Tennessee Invasive Plant Council's list of invasive plants, and University of Tennessee Extension specialists recommend removing them and not planting new ones.
Signs your Bradford pear is near the end
- A crack or split where the big branches meet the trunk
- A branch or section already broken off in a past storm
- The crown leaning or spreading unevenly
- The tree is over a roof, driveway, car or sidewalk
If you see any of these, it's time to plan the removal. Our tree hazard checklist covers other warning signs.
How to remove one so it stays gone
- Remove the tree. Smaller Bradfords are a quick job. Big ones over houses get taken down in sections. See tree removal costs.
- Deal with the stump. Callery pears like to sprout from the stump and roots. Grinding the stump below grade is the most reliable fix. See stump grinding.
- Watch for sprouts the first season or two and pull or cut any that come up.
- Pick the timing. Winter, before the March bloom, is a good time to remove one, before it flowers and before it sets fruit for the birds.
Better trees to plant instead
If you liked the spring flowers, there are native trees that give you the same show without the splitting or the spreading. UT Extension agents in East Tennessee often suggest:
- Eastern redbud: pink-purple flowers in early spring, small and tough
- Flowering dogwood: white spring flowers and red fall color; likes some afternoon shade
- Serviceberry: white blossoms in early spring and berries birds love
- Fringe tree: fluffy white flowers in late spring
- Red buckeye: red flower spikes that draw hummingbirds
Plant a new tree well away from the house and power lines, and give it room to reach its full size.
Get your Bradford pear quote
Call (423) 356-6500 or use the form below. Tell us roughly how tall it is, what it's near, and whether you want the stump ground.
Common questions
Why do Bradford pears split?
Bradford pears grow many upright branches from nearly the same point on the trunk, with tight, weak forks. As the tree gets bigger and heavier, often around 15 to 25 years old, those forks split, especially in wind and ice.
Is the Bradford pear invasive in Tennessee?
The Callery pear, which includes the Bradford variety, is on the Tennessee Invasive Plant Council's list of invasive plants. Bradfords cross with other Callery pear varieties, and birds spread the seeds into fields, roadsides and forest edges.
Will a Bradford pear grow back after I cut it down?
It can. Callery pear stumps and roots often send up new sprouts. Grinding the stump, or treating a fresh-cut stump with an herbicide labeled for it, keeps it from coming back.
What should I plant instead of a Bradford pear?
Native flowering trees that do well around Chattanooga include eastern redbud, flowering dogwood, serviceberry, fringe tree and red buckeye. Your county UT Extension office can help you choose for your site.