The Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana ‘Bradford’) is a highly recognizable ornamental tree widely planted for its rapid growth and spectacular display of early spring blossoms. Introduced in the 1960s, this cultivar quickly became popular in urban and suburban landscapes due to its symmetrical shape and ability to thrive in poor soils. However, it is now known for its relatively short lifespan and weak structure, often leading to sudden breakage in storms. Identifying this tree involves examining its silhouette, seasonal features, and wood structure.
Structural Characteristics and Growth Habit
A young Bradford Pear typically exhibits a dense, highly symmetrical, and narrow pyramidal or columnar shape. This form, controlled by strongly ascending branches, made it initially desirable for street and landscape planting. The tree is a fast grower, quickly reaching a mature height of 30 to 50 feet tall, with a canopy spread of 20 to 30 feet.
As the tree ages, its tight, symmetrical form often becomes irregular or asymmetrical, especially after a decade or two. This change results from the tree’s structural weakness, causing branches to split or detach. The crown may appear open, damaged, or slightly weeping due to past structural failure, which identifies an older specimen.
Identifying Features of Flowers and Foliage
The most conspicuous feature is the profuse display of white flowers that appear very early in the spring, often before the leaves emerge. These creamy white blossoms are arranged in dense clusters, with each individual flower having five petals and measuring about 0.5 to 1 inch wide. A distinctly unpleasant, malodorous scent, frequently described as similar to rotting fish or semen, confirms the tree’s identity during its flowering period.
The leaves are simple, alternately arranged, and have an oval to heart-shaped outline. They are dark green, thick, and leathery, with a highly glossy surface. The leaf edges are finely serrated. In the fall, the foliage transforms into striking colors, typically deep red, reddish-purple, or orange-red, and often persists late into the season.
Trunk, Bark, and Branching Structure
The branching habit is a defining, year-round feature. Bradford Pears have numerous branches that attach to the trunk at a very narrow, acute angle. This tight attachment creates a weak point known as an included bark union, where bark gets trapped between the expanding trunk and branch.
This lack of strong wood fiber connection makes the tree highly susceptible to splitting and breakage under stress. The bark on a younger tree is smooth and light gray. With age, the bark develops shallow ridges and furrows, becoming gray-brown, but it remains less deeply fissured than the bark of many other mature trees.
Fruit Identification
Small, hard, round fruits may be present if the ‘Bradford’ cultivar has cross-pollinated. These pea-sized fruits (0.25 to 0.5 inches) appear greenish-brown. They are inedible for humans, but soften after frost and are consumed by birds, which disperse the seeds.