Bradford Pear

Pyrus calleryana 'Bradford'

       

         

          

All photographs are copyrighted and are the property of E. Brunner.

Family:  Rosaceae

Native or Introduced to Illinois:  introduced

Leaf:  This tree grows glossy ovate dark leaves that are alternate and turn scarlet and purple shades in the fall.

Flower:  White flowers 3/8" to ¾" across that bloom Mid-March to late April, depending on the region.

Fruit:  This tree produces pea sized, small, rounded pome.

Twig/Bark:  When immature the bark is brown and smooth.  When mature the bark becomes gray-brown with ridges and furrowed. 

Size/Form/Shape:   The Bradford Pear grows to be 30' - 50' feet in height and has a spread of about 25' at full maturity with an oval shape.  Narrow branch angles make the Bradford rear susceptible to limb breakage at times of high wind or heavy ice load. Regular selective thinning can reduce this problem.

Other:  Because of its beauty and resistance to air pollution and fungus diseases, it is used as both a street and lawn tree. It is tough and tolerant of urban conditions and poor soils.

Native to Korea and China, the Bradford Pear tree was introduced to America in 1919, grown from seed obtained from Nanjing, China. Ostensibly grown to breed with fruiting pear trees in order to develop fire blight resistance, the experiment failed but did produce the forebear to several ornamental trees.

County Distribution Map for Illinois:  

Sources for the Sullivan Middle School Tree Identification Guide were obtained though the use of the following sites:

• Illinois Plant Information Network (ILPIN) @ http://www.fs.fed.us/ne/delaware/ilpin/ilpin.html#Background
• List of Woody Plants Native or Naturalized in Illinois @ http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/~kenr/woody.html
• Tree Species @ http://ostermiller.org/tree/species.html
• Index to Eastern/Central Trees @ http://www.arborday.org/trees/ECtreelist.html
• ISU Forestry Extension Identification of Common Trees of Iowa @ http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Pages/tree/
• Key to Leaves of Virginia Trees @ http://www.fw.vt.edu/dendro/forsite/key/intro.htm
• List of Native Trees for Use Along Roadsides in Illinois @ http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/~kenr/treetable.html
• The PLANTS Database @ http://plants.usda.gov/

The information below is from the National Arbor Day Foundation.  This information can be viewed in the original (source) form by visiting The National Arbor Day Foundation at http://www.arborday.org.

GROWING REQUIREMENTS/RATE
Sun Exposure:  This pear does well in full sun; tolerates pollution and dryness.
Soil Type:  The Bradford Pear grows in acidic, alkaline, loamy, clay, sandy, wet, well-drained, wide range of soils.
Moisture:  This tree requires moist, well drained soil and is not drought tolerant.
Growth Rate:  This tree grows at a fast growth rate.

Hardiness Zones:  5 - 9
This pear can be expected to grow in the zones shown in color in the arborday.org zone map.