tree

Bradford Ornamental Pear

Pyrus calleryana 'Bradford'

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Bradford Ornamental Pear (Pyrus calleryana 'Bradford') at Lurvey Garden Center

Bradford Ornamental Pear in bloom

Bradford Ornamental Pear in bloom

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Bradford Ornamental Pear (Pyrus calleryana 'Bradford') at Lurvey Garden Center

Bradford Ornamental Pear flowers

Bradford Ornamental Pear flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Bradford Ornamental Pear (Pyrus calleryana 'Bradford') at Lurvey Garden Center

Bradford Ornamental Pear in fall

Bradford Ornamental Pear in fall

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  45 feet

Spread:  30 feet

Sunlight:  full sun 

Hardiness Zone:  5

Other Names:  Callery Pear

Description:

One of the most popular tall feature trees, covered in a cloud of white flowers in spring followed by small inedible fruit, superb fall color and a beautiful and consistent upright oval shape, very ornamental; quite resistant to fireblight

Ornamental Features

Bradford Ornamental Pear is bathed in stunning clusters of white flowers with purple anthers along the branches in mid spring before the leaves. It has dark green deciduous foliage. The glossy heart-shaped leaves turn an outstanding deep purple in the fall. The fruits are showy yellow pomes displayed in late summer.

Landscape Attributes

Bradford Ornamental Pear is a dense deciduous tree with a shapely oval form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a high maintenance tree that will require regular care and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

  • Messy

Bradford Ornamental Pear is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Accent
  • Shade
  • Vertical Accent

Planting & Growing

Bradford Ornamental Pear will grow to be about 45 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 30 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 5 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years.

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Accent  Shade  Articulation 
Applications
Flowers  Fruit  Fall Color  Plant Form 
Ornamental Features