Mortellaro's Nursery
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'Bradford' forms a natural round shape.
Pear, Bradford
Pyrus calleryana 'Bradford'
Discontinued
The Bradford Pear is a popular ornamental tree known for its spring blooms and fall color. ‘Bradford’ differs from the others in that it’s fast growing, forming a natural round to teardrop shape. It’s popular in cities as it tolerates many soil types, air pollution, and drought.
White flowers cover the tree in the late winter; they are no more than one inch in diameter and borne in clusters, averaging a dozen each -- flower show is best after a cold winter. Leaves begin to emerge as the flowers drop; simple ovate leaves roughly 3 inches long, which turn vibrant shades of red, purple, and orange in the fall. The leaves will hold onto the tree longer nearly till frost – that’s longer than other deciduous tree.
Bradford Pear does not produce any edible or ornamental pears -- they are roughly half an inch in diameter and difficult to notice. Although popular and easy to find in many nurseries, Bradford normally won’t live past 25 years due to the compact branching leading to broken limbs past starting at 15 years of age.
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Fall Color |
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Accent Tree |
Flower Color:White |
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Height25-30 Feet |
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Spread20-25 Feet |
Homeowner Growing & Maintenance Tips for Pyrus calleryana 'Bradford'
Prune away branches in the middle that rub others too easily, this can extend the life in the years to come.
USDA Hardiness Zone 5a
Characteristics & Attributes
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Deer Tolerance
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Exposure
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Habit
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Water Needs
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