Beware of the Bradford Pear Trees

[WthrLady]

Ours always split bedire they reached 15. Just when they were prettiest. Smack down the middle. Poor tree and I am wildly allegeric to the pollen.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

They are actually Callery pears (Pyrus calleryana). An invasive China native. The cultivar known as the Bradford Pear is thornless. If they cross with other cultivars, they may then have thorns.

 

[WthrLady]

Yup. Callery are the tire killers. Poor wee chicken. I'm sorry.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

Excuse me if I word this wrong. Indiana DNR has asked people to stop planting bradford pear for this very reason. No, the original tree wont have thorns BUT they are reproducing when they werent supposed to and the saplings have wicked thorns. I loaded my property w/ them 10 yrs ago and have since had to cut down 3 saplings that came and developed the thorns worse then a locust. I have a scar from one.
I can see a rooster flying up into one and getting stuck by them.

 

[Bamabexchicks]

My kids used to climb the Bradford Pear in the front yard. I don't recall any complaint about thorns. Perhaps a different cultivar.

Bradford Pear trees are notorious for thorns. Even very small young ones will hurt you.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Excuse me if I word this wrong. Indiana DNR has asked people to stop planting bradford pear for this very reason. No, the original tree wont have thorns BUT they are reproducing when they werent supposed to and the saplings have wicked thorns. I loaded my property w/ them 10 yrs ago and have since had to cut down 3 saplings that came and developed the thorns worse then a locust. I have a scar from one.
I can see a rooster flying up into one and getting stuck by them.

Yeah, I think when they cross pollinate with other cultivars is when they become prolific and a problem.

Here is a good read on the Bradford and potential problems.
https://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/downloads/callerypearinvasive.pdf

 

[Granny Hatchet]

I planted one of the others. ONE ! LOL 2.56 acres and the bradford line the property on 3 sides. I planted 3 fruiting pears in my fruit tree space and they have never bloomed.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

We have that problem with invasive honeysuckle. When I had a bobcat, I used to use that to dig up the perimeter of the property. No other small plants could survive where they grew/ continue to grow.
I'm getting help from a friend who is a forester. He recommends a variety of native shrubs and small trees that will out compete the invasive bush honeysuckle.

https://mdc.mo.gov/trees-plants/problem-plant-control/invasive-plants/bush-honeysuckles-control

 

[Granny Hatchet]

We have that problem with invasive honeysuckle. When I had a bobcat, I used to use that to mow down the perimeter of the property. No other small plants could survive where they grew/ continue to grow.
I'm getting help from a friend who is a forester. He recommends a variety of native shrubs and small trees that will out compete the invasive bush honeysuckle.

https://mdc.mo.gov/trees-plants/problem-plant-control/invasive-plants/bush-honeysuckles-control

They are getting me too. My fondation plantings is being took over. Problem now is I have become disabled and all I can do is sit here, look at it and cry. I personally planted over 600 trees here 11 yrs ago . not counting shrubs and flowers and it breaks my heart to see this. The honey suckle just came last yr. Its got my umm, little red maples? and hydrangas .

 

[ChickenCanoe]

They are getting me too. My fondation plantings is being took over. Problem now is I have become disabled and all I can do is sit here, look at it and cry. I personally planted over 600 trees here 11 yrs ago . not counting shrubs and flowers and it breaks my heart to see this. The honey suckle just came last yr. Its got my umm, little red maples? and hydrangas .

I truly feel your pain.