Bradford Pear

(Pyrus calleryana)

Interesting Information About Plant:  

     Bradford Pear is a variety of pear tree native to Korea and China called Pyrus calleryana introduced into western horticulture in1908. The Bradford variety however was not introduced in the Americas until it was brought over from Nan king in 1919, but not in commercial circulation until the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) put it out in 1963. It was hoped to be the perfect tree to line streets with since it had a profuse early bloom, a restricted pyramidal shape, and a good color in the fall. Unfortunately, the Bradford is very susceptible to wind and ice damage once it has grown to a certain extent due to its shape and growing habit. This is partly due to the fact that the angle of the Branford’s branches are generally too narrow, and as the branches grow in such tight fitting form, the tree begins to push itself apart. At the first strong wind or heavy ice storm, the tree self-destructs. But in contrast to this negative aspect the Bradford Pear also is very hardy and resistant to diseases.

Scientific Name: Pyrus calleryana

Family Name (Scientific and Common): Rosaceae   (Rose)

Continent of Origin: Asia

Plant Growth Habit: Tree

Height at Maturity: More than 10 Feet

Life Span: Perennial

Seasonal Habit: Deciduous Perennial

Growth Habitat: Full Sun 

Manner of Culture: Landscape Tree 

Thorns on Younger Stem: No

Cross Section of Younger Stem: Roundish   

Stem (or Trunk) Diameter: More Than The Diameter of a Coffee-Mug 

Produces Brownish Bark: Yes  

Bark Peeling in Many Areas: No

Characteristics of Mature (Brownish) Bark: Lines Go Horizontal 

Type of Leaf: Flat, Thin Leaf  

Length of Leaf (or Leaflet): Between the Length of a Credit Card and a Writing-Pen   

Leaf Complexity: Simple 

Edge of Leaf: Serrated

Leaf Arrangement: Alternate

Leaf has Petiole: No

Patterns of Main-Veins on Leaf (or Leaflet): Parallel 

Leaf Hairiness: No Hairs

Color of Foliage in Summer: Dark Green   

Change in Color of Foliage in October: Changes to Reddish-Orange 

Flowering Season: Spring 

Flowers: Tightly Clustered 

Type of Flower: Colorful Flower

Color of Flower: White 

Shape of Individual Flower: Other

Size of Individual Flower: Between a Quarter and the Length of a Credit Card  

Sexuality: Male and Female Flowers on Separate Plants   

Size of Fruit: Smaller than a Quarter 

Fruit Fleshiness: Dry

Shape of Fruit: Spherical   

Color of Fruit at Maturity:  Brown or Dry

Fruit Desirable to Birds or Squirrels: Yes   

Common Name(s): Callery Pear or Ornamental Pear

Louisville Plants That Are Most Easily Confused With This One: Manchurian Pear

Unique Morphological Features of Plant: Easily broken

Poisonous: Parts of Plant

Pestiness (weedy, hard to control): No

Page prepared by:

Whitney Theis                                    

November 2004