Bradford Pear
Pyrus calleryana 'Bradford' · Deciduous broadleaf hardwood
Plant Family
Rosaceae
Tree Category
Ornamental street tree
Variety / Cultivar
Bradford
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 9
About This Tree
A medium-sized deciduous tree with a dense, symmetrical, upright-oval to pyramidal form when young, often becoming weak-wooded and spreading or splitting at tight branch unions with age
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate leaves, broadly ovate to nearly circular, 2 to 3 inches long, glossy dark green with finely serrated margins, turning brilliant shades of red, purple, and orange in the fall
Bark Characteristics
Grayish-brown bark that starts relatively smooth on young branches and develops shallow furrows and scaly ridges as the main trunk matures
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to China and Vietnam; widely planted as an ornamental across North America
Growing Season
Early spring flowering, dense green foliage throughout summer, turning vibrant red-purple in autumn before winter dormancy
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun for best flowering and branching structure; moderate water needs once established with good drought tolerance
Mature Size
Reaches 30 to 50 feet in height with a spread of 20 to 35 feet, moderate to fast growth rate, and a relatively short lifespan of 15 to 25 years due to structural weakness
Special Characteristics
Known for heavy spring white blooms and brilliant fall color, but widely criticized and often invasive due to weak branch attachments prone to storm damage and prolific cross-pollination leading to wild thorny thickets
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides early spring nectar for pollinators and small fruits consumed by various birds, though its ecological value is often offset by its invasive tendencies displacing native vegetation