This tree is taking over way too much land here in Upstate SC. I've gotten to where I hate to see them as they have become an invasive weed on par with Kudzu and English Ivy. Neighbors and businesses that planted them 20 years ago saw all of them split and collapse within 10 years. I'm sticking with natives. The redbuds we've planted are early bloomers and attract a lot of insects - and the deer eat all the seed pods in winter. Dogwoods, hollies, native azaleas and rhododendrons are far prettier than asian varieties which have become too common, don't look quite natural and have no fragrance.
13
Invasive or not, I can't get past their stinky smell!
4
'kay, 'kay, 'kay...What is your problem? Since when are you the tastemaker, the horticultural sheriff? Do you not see that it is people like you who CREATED this problem based upon your own sense of superior taste and aesthetics, and mere book knowledge of botany? I live in Austin, Texas. We have a massive problem with cedar. And how did cedar get here? Well, in the 19th Century some dude went to the Holy Land, saw all that cedar, and decided that when Jesus returned he might go to Austin if there was lots of cedar to remind him of Israel. I am not making this up. So he planted cedar (actually a variation of the Middle Eastern variety). And now it dominates the landscape and the pollen count 'round about February every year. Many thousands of people are in misery as a result of Cedar Fever.
How are you different from that fool? The problem is arrogance. Xeriscape or be damned.
How are you different from that fool? The problem is arrogance. Xeriscape or be damned.
22
How does the odor of "semen and rotting flesh" get into one sentence?
I understand both are common experiences that can be used as anchoring comparisons. Afterall, when describing an odor to someone it wouldn't be useful to compare it to say moon dust's odor.
Are there are a lot of people on weird diets?
I understand both are common experiences that can be used as anchoring comparisons. Afterall, when describing an odor to someone it wouldn't be useful to compare it to say moon dust's odor.
Are there are a lot of people on weird diets?
5
Had three. They looked nice especially blooming in the spring. One split and went through the back fence. The second did the same and into the swimming pool. The third I cut down. Not strong enough to take a good wind.
3
As someone who had half my neighborhood's (including my yard's) tree wiped out with the ash borer beetle, and then had a Bradford Pear planted in its place (upon recommendation of a person at the nursery), this column is depressing.
Oh, and recent news that the spruce tree I planted in the back (and looks beautiful) is likely to be attacked by needlecast, canker disease or mites that are ravaging the midwest makes me want to move out to the desert.
Oh, and recent news that the spruce tree I planted in the back (and looks beautiful) is likely to be attacked by needlecast, canker disease or mites that are ravaging the midwest makes me want to move out to the desert.
3
We need to remember another scourge, the non-migrating variety of Canada geese. These were originally purposefully introduced as a "nice" feature for local parks, many of which are now unusable due to the aggressiveness of the geese and the abundance of goose poop. Once a species becomes invasive it is extremely difficult to change course. One park where installed a machine that was supposed to drive Canada geese away by emitting the warning call of a goose in danger. The local geese immediately attacked the machine and killed it. I'm not making this up.
15
I happen to think Asclepias (milkweeds) are very pretty. And they don't just attract butterflies; they are essential to the survival of monarch butterflies, which lay eggs on no other plants.
19
If the trend of importing exotic species from far away places is near a close we can all benefit from a reduction in harmful pathogens i.e. Insects, fungi and bacteria that are well on their way to expirtating our Ash trees, butternuts, and elms. And now there are risk forecasts for walnuts and oaks as well.
Nursery stock should not be imported or exported.
Wood packing crates and pallets must be heat treated or fumigated before allowed into or out of our country.
Think of the mountain vistas of white flowers on the American chestnut tree that only the eldest amongst us may have been fortunate to see.
Nursery stock should not be imported or exported.
Wood packing crates and pallets must be heat treated or fumigated before allowed into or out of our country.
Think of the mountain vistas of white flowers on the American chestnut tree that only the eldest amongst us may have been fortunate to see.
11
They smell remarkably like dead fish, but whole streets in Brooklyn are made magical by their white flowers
7
Another terrible thing about the Bradford is its short life span. I despise theses trees, and agree that we should not encourage their planting.
7
One other big Bradford Pear downer not mentioned in this article is its susceptibility to disease - especially Fire Blight which is aptly named, not just for its blackening of foliage, but also because it spreads like wildfire. Fire Blight, which infects many other apple, pear and other fruit trees, and ornamentals like Pyracantha, is very difficult and expensive to treat.
6
This tree is planted everywhere in Santa Barbara and is not one of my favorites. In our mild climate it has no idea of when to bloom so sometimes it does it halfheartedly in November then finishes the job in February. Its limb structure is often ruined by inept pruning and its leaves are usually infected by a blight which almost denudes the tree in the Spring.
3
I once had an alley of Bradford pears that I planted in 1990. The bloom was spectacular and bees seemed to love them. Birds safely nested in the maze of branches. I never any evidence of invasiveness - despite acres around them. However, the wood was fragile and they didn't shed leaves until well into winter -- inviting damage from early snows and ice. I lost several to ice storms and the rest were flattened by hurricane Sandy. Few trees are perfect and it's easy to criticise the Bradford's flaws. But, they sustained many small lives while they lived and made me smile. I miss them.
30
As the author notes, its not the Bradford that is invasive. Natural hybrids with other varieties form via cross pollination, though, and the resulting offrping are able to reproduce by seed.
6
I was unaware this tree was in such disfavor. I think they look very pretty. It is true they don't smell too nice.
4
The Bradford pear tree is like the current English Bulldog. They have both been bred into something nature would have never considered. Both should be returned to a more natural state no matter how little damage they may do. Neither is a healthy specimen.
17
There are hundreds of better species - both native and introduced - that can be chosen over Pyrus calleryana, regardless of the city or location. They were widely planted in Seattle at one time with decidedly bad results. While they are more or less untroubled by diseases here, their habit is unwieldy and most become structurally unsound as they reach maturity. There is nothing sadder than driving down a street planted with trees that have had their branched fall, tearing off a substantial portions of the trunks in the process.
6
I am very uneasy when people who are science writers publicly use derogatory words and terms like “ugly,” “ridiculous,” “more like plastic,” “cheap,” “gaudy,” “overwrought” in describing a natural plant or animal. Hopefully Mr. Popkin is using these words as hyperbole. If so, he doesn’t make it clear.
11
This is not simply a science article though. Gardening and landscaping are inherently aesthetic activities, and most serious gardeners have strong opinions about color, texture, form. "Ugly" indeed is too harsh a term in my view, but "more like plastic", that can be a valid analogy for the gloss of foliage. Valid ecologically too, once you learn that so few native insects can nibble on these leaves.
5
I have a dilemma.
Invasive plants pepper my property. We don't yet have a wild Bradford, but the mulberry that attracts orioles and blue birds is an invasive white. The understory between my yard and the creek is mostly garlic mustard and Japanese stilt grass, with honeysuckle, wild rose, and now oriental bittersweet coming up strong. There's a viburnum that escaped from somewhere too.
I'd love to stick to the native plants in my yard. But the reason all that is growing strong? those are the only things that survive a browsing herd of about two dozen deer. Invasives and ragweed. Most of what deer won't eat in your garden is now on the invasive list.
It is a conundrum, and not one I have solved to my liking yet.
Invasive plants pepper my property. We don't yet have a wild Bradford, but the mulberry that attracts orioles and blue birds is an invasive white. The understory between my yard and the creek is mostly garlic mustard and Japanese stilt grass, with honeysuckle, wild rose, and now oriental bittersweet coming up strong. There's a viburnum that escaped from somewhere too.
I'd love to stick to the native plants in my yard. But the reason all that is growing strong? those are the only things that survive a browsing herd of about two dozen deer. Invasives and ragweed. Most of what deer won't eat in your garden is now on the invasive list.
It is a conundrum, and not one I have solved to my liking yet.
27
Cathy, You are so right. I live on a wooded lot in Tenn. I started removing all the terrible invasives and thought I could just plant natives to replace them. The deer have an uncanny ability to spot everything you plant and wipe it out. They don't miss a thing. Even plants they're supposed to avoid like Canadian ginger and spicebush. Now I build little cages made of wire fencing whenever I add something new. They're all over my woods but being black or green tend to blend in. I've introduced about 40 native species back into the woods that had been overrun with vinca, winter creeper, English ivy and Asian honeysuckle.
10
As a horticulturist, I so agree with you, Gabriel Popkin "...,there are far more important battles to fight than one against a lousy tree." But this is a wonderful column on the shortcomings of the Bradford pear and also the planners who overused it. The tree has its problems. But the people who over planted them, are even more of a problem. Our society's mindset of monocultures is a major problem. We need more diversity not less. Good article.
47
but it is what people like to call low hanging fruit. why persist doing things we know are not recommended, why ignoring facts and things that are easy to change while we can? people tend to remain silent over topics like this. some like the flowers of these weeds and other people think its okay to let their cats outside to kill birds while others don't think butts are trash. people need to get beyond their own vanity and ignorance and learn to do whats right.
8
Cats should not be allowed outside for the cat's sake. They do kill birds, but so do foxes, squirrels (bet you didn't know that!) and other birds (the chief predators at our birdfeeders are hawks, and by law I can't interfere with them). Not to mention that the greatest threat to birds is Homo sapiens, with the chopping blades of his wind farms, deadly glass-sheathed skyscapers, macerating jet engines, habitat-destroying developments ....
If you let your cat out, don't be surprised if one day it doesn't come home. The world is full of cars, coyotes, poison rat baits, dogs, mean people. World big and hard, cat small and soft. Keep the moggy inside.
If you let your cat out, don't be surprised if one day it doesn't come home. The world is full of cars, coyotes, poison rat baits, dogs, mean people. World big and hard, cat small and soft. Keep the moggy inside.
21
Looks like I will postpone my plans for a Bradford Pear orchard...
15
Arguments are there forBradford Pear being lousy tree, but the lumber is exquisite.
5
Good to know, but I bet there are numerous alternatives.
1
A beautiful and hardy tree that was planted as a monoculture on our block 30 years ago, most are alive and providing their snowy white floral display in the spring , dark green leaves turning red in fall with shade all summer. Some that were well tended are quite large. Yes we need to take care of our street trees. They are crucial to our environment but require tending. We have a street tree project in the Lower East Side as they are crucial in our attempt to absorb more rain water in storms. We need to take care of all of our precious trees. I would like a Street Tree awareness day where we all take care of our trees as they take care of us.
15
The various downside comments chronicled here by observers are half-truths. As a practicing landscape horticulturist and consulting arborist , I concur with these comments that the subject tree may manifest undesirable traits, but these are architectural defects started by the nursery which created it, and are faults of the maintenance personnel who should be enhancing the trees' landscape value. Many other landscape and street tree species are correctly described by this same narrative.
10
Agree! The Bradford pear is not inherently noxious, but is a victim of American growers who, through greed and short-cuts, bulked them up far too quickly and sold inferior stock. It took a "generation" of trees for the public to get wise. And of course homeowners refuse to pay for quality plants - those acres of granite and stainless steel in the kitchen are much more important - and so bear lots of blame, too. A properly grown Bradford puts on a splendid show in three seasons: the tender green of early spring, the drop-dead gorgeous flowering, and brilliant fall color, not mentioned by the author. But you cannot mistreat a large plant from its youth and expect good outcomes.
9
In the 80s, my town underwent a beautification program which provided each homeowner the option of having a young Bradford pear planted on the street side of their property. Many people opted to take advantage of the free plantings. Several years ago we had a severe ice storm which was accompanied by strong high winds. My street alone had 40 Bradfords whose branches or trunks toppled, many coming down on power lines. By the time the devastation was over over two thousand trees had to be removed by the town. The stately oaks and maples held their ground.
17
I'm just glad to hear I'm not the only one who despises the Bradford pear tree. It was planted in huge numbers in Oklahoma City during the early 90s where the wind comes sweeping down the plains ripping them apart every time we have a storm. The blossoms do smell like old gym socks and semen, and I have had to go inside to avoid them. I have planted lace bark elms as they are hardy in our zone and don't seem to be susceptible to the beetles. The pears are finely being replaced as they blow apart with Chinese pistache, London plane, Shumard oak, bald cypress and the lace bark elms. Thankfully, we have the redbud trees and magnolias and crepe myrtles for blooms. The hated pear era is over, the insects, birds and my nose are all thrilled.
7
Lollypop trees. Boring shape. Pretty flowers for about a week. And no fruit, feh!
We planted a Bradford 20 years ago and lost it last year when it split in half. Between those times we delighted in its spring flowers and vibrant fall colors. Very sad to see the blank spot where our beloved tree once ruled the front yard.
19
I was unaware of the downsides of the Bradford Pear but was glad Mr. Veit came to a reasonable and good conclusion. Living in NYC, I can tell you the trees bring a beauty and softness to our cityscape.
15
To say the Bradford pear 'beats a shopping center' as a neighbor gives a whole new dimension to Alexander Pope's 'damn with faint praise.' Still, I wouldn't pull up a healthy tree, though as the article suggests, I wouldn't plant any new ones either.
Our family bought our house in 1957, and the pear tree was there when we came. I'm not sure what kind it is - probably some kind of hybrid - but absolutely no creature will eat its vile fruit, which it strews once a year in our yard. Occasionally I'll see a bite taken out of one by a young groundhog who didn't yet know better. As a child, I took a bite myself and don't blame the critter. In recent years the flowers and fruit have thinned. think it's nearing the end of its lifespan. I will not weep for it.
Our family bought our house in 1957, and the pear tree was there when we came. I'm not sure what kind it is - probably some kind of hybrid - but absolutely no creature will eat its vile fruit, which it strews once a year in our yard. Occasionally I'll see a bite taken out of one by a young groundhog who didn't yet know better. As a child, I took a bite myself and don't blame the critter. In recent years the flowers and fruit have thinned. think it's nearing the end of its lifespan. I will not weep for it.
5
We have several Bradford Pear trees on our farm here in KY, which must have been planted by the previous owners. All I know about them is that the birds and our bees seem to adore them. The birds fight over the berries in the winter, and they provide lots of them. Our bees forage on the flowers for pollen and nectar.
I wouldn't go out of my way to plant any more, but I don't hate them. I worry more about the 60+ year old Ash tree in our front yard which is now dead as a doornail from the Ash Borer.
I wouldn't go out of my way to plant any more, but I don't hate them. I worry more about the 60+ year old Ash tree in our front yard which is now dead as a doornail from the Ash Borer.
16
Had a Bradford pear 15 yrs ago. Couldn't support the weight of its own branches. After the second big one tore off the trunk, I cut it down.
Author fails to weigh sufficiently the point about insects. Several yrs ago, after the Bradford pear was gone, I replanted much of my yard with natives, replacing lots of Asian azaleas, ligustrums, and the like with natives like beautyberry, Walter's viburnum, sweet pepperbush, sweet shrub, and virginia willow. I've been amazed at the abundance and variety of insects in my native plants vs the sterile landscape that I previously had, including many more dragonflies and damselflies than previously (they gobble up mosquitoes), literally mounds of ladybugs, and so many skinks and anoles (and, ok, some nonnative geckos) that we canceled the pest control three years ago and haven't seen bugs in the house.
Go native, my friends. Cut down your Bradford pears and plant in their place some American or dahoon hollies, if you want year-round screens, or native maples, hornbeams, or hophornbeams, if you want fall color and light in the winter.
Author fails to weigh sufficiently the point about insects. Several yrs ago, after the Bradford pear was gone, I replanted much of my yard with natives, replacing lots of Asian azaleas, ligustrums, and the like with natives like beautyberry, Walter's viburnum, sweet pepperbush, sweet shrub, and virginia willow. I've been amazed at the abundance and variety of insects in my native plants vs the sterile landscape that I previously had, including many more dragonflies and damselflies than previously (they gobble up mosquitoes), literally mounds of ladybugs, and so many skinks and anoles (and, ok, some nonnative geckos) that we canceled the pest control three years ago and haven't seen bugs in the house.
Go native, my friends. Cut down your Bradford pears and plant in their place some American or dahoon hollies, if you want year-round screens, or native maples, hornbeams, or hophornbeams, if you want fall color and light in the winter.
46
My neighborhood has many Bradford or Ornamental Pear trees and they are beautiful. Have planted a few myself along with several resistant chestnut trees. BTW Chestnut trees used to be the predominant tree in the American hardwood forests.
Just finished planting a couple of New Dawn Rose vines - flower all time time except winter and grow to 35' long.
Living in the south I have something in bloom all year long - how many places up north have flowers like that.
No more Bradford Pears for me - have run out of room!
Just finished planting a couple of New Dawn Rose vines - flower all time time except winter and grow to 35' long.
Living in the south I have something in bloom all year long - how many places up north have flowers like that.
No more Bradford Pears for me - have run out of room!
6
Well, the birds don't care. They love making nests in the dense early foliage. They love staging, waiting to come to my feeders, where they hide from the Cooper's hawks.
6
There are thousands of trees and shrubs that are invasive, The same qualities one dislikes are the same qualities others admire. The self-appointed judges of invasive plants that they say should be banned from commerce, should also be banned from comment.
One mans trash is another mans treasure.
One mans trash is another mans treasure.
12
This would be a fine attitude if plants didn't have sex. They do though, and they make fruit, and birds and wind, etc., spread their progeny hither and yon. I and many others around my suburban home used to like burning our leaves in the fall, but the smoke entered other's homes and lungs. Communities are coming down on excessive use of leaf blowers, the summer is now many months of whine of engines. Same with invasive species, your plants become my plants and spread into city parks and conservation areas. We have rules against burning, we have noise ordinances. Same logic here, with an important difference: there is a spectacular diversity of beautiful options to choose from: our native plants.
22
Invasive plants destroy natural habitats, threaten indigenous plants.
The qualities that some like them for are NOT the same qualities for which others dislike them. I don't dislike them for their blooms, fruits, fragrance, etc.; I dislike them because they are destructive and their destruction is difficult to control. Here in Nebraska, that is especially true in our waterways.
As a horticulturist for 40 years, I question your assertion that there are thousands of such plants---and even if there were, what difference would that makes? There are relatively few in cultivation and we continue to successfully educate the public and to get them listed as dangerous invasives.
I believe that with just a bit of research, you can find suitable alternatives.
The qualities that some like them for are NOT the same qualities for which others dislike them. I don't dislike them for their blooms, fruits, fragrance, etc.; I dislike them because they are destructive and their destruction is difficult to control. Here in Nebraska, that is especially true in our waterways.
As a horticulturist for 40 years, I question your assertion that there are thousands of such plants---and even if there were, what difference would that makes? There are relatively few in cultivation and we continue to successfully educate the public and to get them listed as dangerous invasives.
I believe that with just a bit of research, you can find suitable alternatives.
9
I do understand all the reasons about stopping invasive plants and trees BUT I also look forward to the annual flowering of these beautiful trees in New York City. To take the bus along the East Side avenues and glance up the streets along the way to see a blizzard of snowy blooms is indeed the best harbinger of Spring that we have in this overwhelming environment of concrete and cars.
17
Woodturners love Bradford pear. It makes beautiful bowls.
14
The author underestimates the growing threat of these varieties of non-native pear. I attended a talk by Prof. Tallamy recently and he showed a slide of roadside meadows filled with white blooms - hundreds of these trees now occupying growing space and offering little to native foodwebs. The decline of native insects and songbirds is one of our major environmental concerns, and species like this ornamental pear are one of many causes. Lets accelerate the shift to a more ecological horticulture. Doing so does not sap our ability to focus on other environmental concerns at the same time.
28
The Bradford Pears here in the SC Piedmont seemed to have burst into a glorious blossoming literally overnight last week. There are hundred, nay thousands of this gorgeous ornament. I'm going to get a dozen for my place but then I don't have the cares and worries and aesthetic standards of the horticultural troops who ought take care of the Ash trees.
8
The author underestimates the growing threat of these varieties of non-native pear. I attended a talk by Prof. Tallamy recently and he showed a slide of roadside meadows filled with white blooms - hundreds of these trees now occupying growing space and offering little to native foodwebs. The decline of native insects and songbirds is one of our major environmental concerns, and species like this ornamental pear are one of many causes. Lets accelerate this welcome shift to a more ecological horticulture. Doing so does not sap our ability to focus on other environmental concerns at the same time.
6