You can recognize them by their expansive displays of white flowers that bloom every spring. They’re known in the botanical world as Callery pear trees or Pyrus Calleryana, but you probably know them best as Bradford pear trees. You can find these trees all over East Tennessee… and they can wreak havoc on the landscape around them. In this article, your Kingsport arborists at Promier Tree explore how Bradford pear trees in East Tennessee could pose considerable risks to your landscape.
The history of Bradford pear trees
In the 1960s, the U.S. Department of Agriculture introduced these trees as ornamental landscape trees. At that time, the USDA believed the tree to be sterile. They also observed the Bradford pear had an incredibly weak branch structure compared to other trees in nature. This also meant Bradford pear trees didn’t tend to live long. Branches and limbs were easy to snap in strong winds or under the weight of ice.
As time passed, other variants of the Bradford pear were developed, which were intended to live longer. These newer varieties have the same branch weakness issue, meaning their limb structures are prone to crack, split, and bust. The USDA was wrong, however, in assuming Bradford pears cannot reproduce. In actuality, they can cross-pollinate with any other type of pear tree. The end result? The proliferation of Chinese Callery pears, which have one-inch thorns—thick enough to shred the tires on a tractor. Bradford pears also are invasive by nature, pushing out and strangling other native tree species such as dogwoods, maples, and oaks.
Finding the Right Tree for Your Landscape
Choosing the best trees for your property isn’t just a matter of appearance. Given their invasive nature, tree experts in East Tennessee currently advise against planting a Bradford pear. “If you want a disposable tree or a quick-growing tree, then you can get one [a Bradford pear], but just shouldn’t expect it to last long term,” arborist David Dunn told WBIR in Knoxville.
Most reputable tree nurseries also shy away from stocking and planting Bradford pear trees. Keeping existing Bradford pears also could cause problems, as they cross-pollinate with other trees in the area, forming thorny thickets that can choke the life out of other, more environmentally friendly species of tree that may be on your property.
Tree Expertise in Johnson City
For any questions about tree care, tree planting, or adding a new tree to your landscape, an arborist is the best-qualified individual to assist. At Promier Tree, we’re proud to have several arborists on our staff available for consultations. Each of our arborists is certified through the International Society of Arboriculture. They are fully qualified and knowledgeable on all the types of trees in East Tennessee and how to care for them. And, if you’re looking to plant a new tree, they can make the best recommendations for you… and likely NOT a Bradford pear.
Ready to learn more? Call Promier Tree at (423) 765-2626 or go online to schedule a consultation today with one of our arborists. At Promier Tree, we’re proud to serve the tree care needs of our clients in the areas of Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol, Tennessee.