NAME:
COMMON – Bradford Pear
BOTANICAL – Pyrus calleryana ‘Bradford’
FAMILY – Rosaceae

DERIVATION:  Native to Korea and China.  ‘Bradford’ was derived from a seed purchased in 1919 from China.

GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS: This deciduous tree is dense, pyramidal (50’ by 40’) and one of the first trees to bloom in spring.  It has a fast growth rate but unfortunately, the branch structure is weak and prone to break with age.  It can cross-pollinate with other trees, with seedlings reverting back to invasive species.

LOCATION:  Prefers full sun but tolerates dry soil and pollution.

ATTRIBUTES, VALUE, UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS:  Resistant to fire blight, fast growing, and flowers early with red fall color, but loses value as ages

This tree is an invasive species in NC

.