Bradford pear
| Bradford Pear | ||||||||||||
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| Pyrus calleryana |
The Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana) is a ornamental variety of pear tree that is widely planted through the American East Coast. It is commonly planted for its decorative value, but its hard little fruits are taken by birds. Its beautiful white blossoms can be seen in early spring along the boulevards of many Eastern towns. Unfortunately, when pollinating the Bradford pear can produce a sickly-sweet smell that some have likened to crab meat, or jasmine and dog vomit. Further, the Bradford pear tends to coat all automobiles nearby in a greenish-yellow layer of pollen, although pine trees have the same effect.
In summer, the foliage is dark green and very smooth, which along with the tree's natural symmetry lends to its use in somewhat formal settings, such as office parks or industrial parks. In autumn the leaves consistently turn brilliant colors, everything from yellow and orange to more common red, pink, purple, and bronze. Sometimes, several of these colors my be present on an individual leaf, and often the tree will turn from the outer top to the inner bottom, like a maple.
Its neat dense upward growth, which makes it desirable in cramped urban spaces, also results in a multitude of narrow weak crotches unless corrected by selective pruning at an early stage. The weak crotches make the Bradford pear susceptible to winter damage where snowfall is heavy or when ice storms occur, or during the high winds of severe thunderstorms. Because of this, and the relatively short lifespan that results, some groups have discouraged their use in landscaping in favor of hardier and more native trees.
The Bradford pear is descendant from Chinese varieties of pears, and is considered by some to be an invasive species, pushing out native American plants and trees.
Hemingway, South Carolina,