There is little one can do if 66% of the tree … When Bradford pear was introduced as an ornamental in 1964 by the US Department of Agriculture, it was known then that this tree possessed the weakest branch structure in nature. It … The Bradford Pear tree is indeed a beautiful tree especially in the Spring when it is laden with flowers and in the Fall when its leaves turn glorious Autumn colors. Read More. The problem goes far beyond your own front yard though; across the state, Bradford pears look nothing like their normal state as an idyllic ornamental tree. I have observed this problem across the country and no longer recommend the bradford pear as a tree suitable for the Midwest. 'Bradford' Pear Tree History and Issues 'Bradford' pear was introduced in the mid-1960s and soon became the most popular cultivar of callery pear (Pyrus calleryana). A: After looking at the leaf under the scope it was evident that your tree has Entomosporium leaf spot, which is a common problem in all members of the rose family including Bradford pear. The fact is the tree, stump, roots and all must be taken out of the ground, or the Bradford Pear tree will regenerate very quickly. For years, the Bradford pear has been an iconic Southern tree (simply because they're everywhere). Spots may enlarge and merge to form larger blackened areas.Tiny black specks, which form spores, can often be observed in the center of each leaf spot. Hence, the problems associated with these trees are also somewhat similar to those of the above-mentioned trees. Grumpy Gardener Steve Bender is here to tell you that this stinky, oversized tree is not worth the hassle, though. Problems With Bradford Pear Trees Yellow or Brown Leaves on Bradford Pear Trees How to Grow a Callery Pear Tree Growing Pear Trees in the Home Garden Instead, plant native alternatives, such as serviceberry, fringe tree, tupelo, or … Compared to some trees, it is actually considered to be a small tree which is why people who live on smaller lots like to use it in their landscaping plans. According to a release from the commission, "Do not plant Callery or Bradford pear. An arborist may elect to use a bactericide (with streptomycin sulfate) on your Bradford pear tree to control fire blight. It is a shame that such a beautiful tree has a fatal flaw that does not show up until it gets larger and experiences an ice or snow storm. Bradford Pear Pruning Tips Maintenance is the key to keeping the Bradford Pear tree looking good and staying contained within the area where it is intended to be. There are more than 800 cultivars of the flowering pear, and the most popular ornamental pear trees are the Bradford Pear, Chanticleer Pear and the Cleveland pear tree. If you have a Bradford pear in your yard, you may have noticed it is adorned with dead leaves and brown and curled branch tips this year. “Bradford pears break up when they get old,” said Anella. The ubiquitous Callery pear trees, also known as Bradford pears, are known for their beautiful white blossoms, adorning lawns across the country and earning a … As a Bradford pear tree grows, it forms a lot of branches in the same area, creating a weak spot. While the flowers are pretty, the narrow branch angles and density of branches in the same area create weak spots, often causing the tree to split. In fact, it's so popular that the two terms are pretty much used interchangeably by the public.