Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana)

At one time Callery pear was one of the most popular urban tree species in eastern, central, and southern regions of the country. Today, while the tree has its admirers, city planners are thinking twice before including it into the urban landscape. If you’re thinking about growing Callery pear trees, keep reading to find out about the care of Callery pear trees and other useful Calleryana information.

Common nameBradford Pear, Callery ‘Bradford’ Pear, Callery Pear
Botanical namePyrus calleryana
FamilyRosaceae
Speciescalleryana
OriginCentral to Southern China to Vietnam, Central Japan, and Taiwan
Life cycleWoody
Plant typeTree
Hardiness zone5, 6, 7, 8, 9
SunlightFull Sun
MaintenanceHigh
Soil conditionClay
Soil phAcid
DrainageWell-Drained
Growth rateFast
Spacing24 – 60 ft.
Harvest timeSummer
Flowering periodSpring
Height3- 50 ft.
Width3- 50 ft.
Flower colorCream, Tan
Leaf colorGreen
Fruit colorBrown, Copper
Stem colorBrown, Copper
Fruit typePome
Leaf benefitShowy
Flower benefitShowy

I. Appearance and Characteristics

Pyrus calleryana, also known as the Callery pear or Bradford pear, is a species of pear tree native to China and Vietnam, in the family Rosaceae. It is most commonly known for its cultivar ‘Bradford’ and its offensive odor, widely planted throughout the United States and increasingly regarded as an invasive species.

Pyrus calleryana is deciduous, growing to 5 to 8 m (16 to 26 ft) tall, often with a conical to rounded crown. The leaves are oval, 4 to 8 cm (1+1⁄2 to 3 in) long, glossy dark green above and pale beneath. They have long petioles alternately arranged on branches. The white, five-petaled flowers are about 2 to 2.5 cm (3⁄4 to 1 in) in diameter. They are produced abundantly in early spring, before the leaves expand fully.

The fruits (which are often assumed to be inedible due to their abundant, cyanide laced seeds) of the Callery pear are small (less than 1 centimeter (3⁄8 in) in diameter), and hard, almost woody, until softened by frost, after which they are readily taken by birds, which disperse the seeds in their droppings. In summer, the shining foliage is dark green and very smooth, and in autumn the leaves commonly turn brilliant colors, ranging from yellow and orange to more commonly red, pink, purple, and bronze. However, since the color often develops very late in autumn, the leaves may be killed by a hard frost before full color can develop.

Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana)
Pyrus calleryana Bruce Marlin CC BY 3.0

Callery pears are remarkably resistant to disease or fireblight. However, some cultivars, such as ‘Bradford’, are particularly susceptible to storm damage and are regularly disfigured or killed by strong winds, winter weather, or limb loss due to their naturally rapid growth rate.

The species is named after the Italian-French Joseph-Marie Callery (1810–1862), a sinologist who sent specimens of the tree to Europe from China.

II. How to Grow and Care

Sunlight

Bradford pear needs full sun to produce a good fruit set, so plant it in an open, unshaded spot in the garden. At least 8 hours of full sunlight per day it should receive. Some species and cultivars of Pyrus can stand under partial shade as well.

Temperature

Bradford pear is cultivated widely in temperate and sub-tropical climatic conditions as it is resistant to both cold and heat. It can tolerate temperatures low as -26 ℃when it is dormant ( for some species and cultivars of genus Pyrus this can be even lower) and high as 45 ℃ in the growing season. Frost in spring is detrimental, and temperatures of 3 ℃ and less can kill open flowers, leading to fewer fruits.

It prefers medium or slightly dry conditions and demands little on humidity or watering. It is quite drought-tolerant once it established, but it may not be the case with waterlogging, so a site on higher ground or one not prone to waterlogging will be favorable for it.

Watering

As a drought-resistant plant, your bradford pear does not need additional watering unless suffering from a long period of drought with heat. Bradford pear should be watered when it is young during dry spells, as with pot plant. Generally, potted ones need 2.5 cm of water per week. If this is hard to measure, water deeply once you see the topsoil is dry and slightly whitish. Let it dry out between watering intervals and avoid frequent watering which can lead to root rot.

Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana)
G20090402-4191–Pyrus calleryana John Rusk CC BY 2.0

Soil

Bradford pear grows in a wide range of soils, even sandy or chalky soils, but however, loamy soil can be the best. It does well in soils that are well aerated and well-drained, which is why they sometimes need slopes. Bradford pear also likes slightly acidic to neutral soils (6.1-7.3), especially soil with a pH near 7, although some other species and cultivars can grow well in slightly alkaline soil.

Fertilizing

Manure and fertilizers should be applied each year early in spring. Be careful with nitrogen-rich fertilizer as overloaded nitrogen can lead to vulnerability to diseases. Bradford pear is prone to boron deficiency, which can result in cracked or pitted fruits. When symptoms are observed a spray of 0.1% boric acid can be applied. If the soil is fertile, use less fertilizer.

Planting Instructions

Growing conditions for bradford pear are fairly simple. It is not a fussy plant and not difficult to grow. You can start with a seedling purchased in a nearby nursery or online. Seedlings that are one year old can be transplanted into your garden where soils are well-drained in mid-winter. Space your trees 6 to 8 m apart to ensure air circulation.

Although some species can self-fertilize, you are recommended to plant at least two trees in the garden or orchard so that they can cross-pollinate to produce fruits. Notice that although different species and varieties can generally interbreed without compatibility issues, if you want to interbreed, ensure your trees are blooming at a similar time first.

If you want to grow your Bradford pear in containers, you are recommended to choose dwarf cultivars. Choose a large container at least twice as big as the root ball of your tree. Fill the pot with soil after putting the tree inside. You can place the pot under full sun then.

Pruning

Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana)
Bradford Pear – Pyrus calleryana, Julie Metz Wetlands, Woodbridge, Virginia Judy Gallagher CC BY 2.0

The best time to prune bradford pear is when the tree is dormant from winter till early spring, after leaf fall and before bud-formation. The central leader method is popularly used, to reduce old woody growth that is not productive to improve yields of the fruit. Never remove more than 25% of branches. This can be applied to pot trees as well.

Propagation

There are various methods used to propagate bradford pear. You can collect seeds from mature pears, and you are recommended to prepare more seeds as the germination rate is low. Dry the seeds, wrap in wet paper towels in groups of 3, put the towels in seal bags, and place them in a dark but warm place to germinate. You can check every 15 days to see if you need to wet the towel again. plant those germinating seeds in pots and place them where it is sunny and warm. Keep the soil moist and wait for them to grow until you can transplant them into your garden.

If you think this is complicated, sow the seeds directly in the ground in winter also works. However, you can expect an even lower germination rate.

You can also do the grafting. Buy a rootstock for grafting if you are aiming at fruits. Grow your rootstock with seedlings. Grafting is best done from late winter to early spring.

Pests and Diseases

Wilting Leaves

If you have inherited a Bradford pear in your landscape, there are a few common care problems that you are likely to run up against, such as wilting leaves.

It’s common for newly transplanted trees to experience transplant shock. Their disturbed roots find it difficult to nourish the leaves with sufficient water, as an established tree would be able to do. High winds simply exacerbate the problem; the result is leaf-wilt.

To help your plant, don’t fertilize your struggling tree. Fertilizing would support the root system to foster extra leaf growth. You do not want extra growth at this time, because the tree’s disturbed roots are already struggling to function properly. Water your Bradford pear tree regularly and wait patiently to see how it pulls through.

  • Japanese Pear Rust

You’ve never had a problem with your Bradford pear tree, but all of a sudden, you spot a very bright orange fuzzy coating on the little pears one summer. This substance is falling on the lawn. It consists of little orange spikes that are coming right out of the fruits.

What you’re observing is a kind of a “rust,” which is a fungal disease. Specifically, it is most likely Japanese pear rust.5 Check with your county extension to see if they can recommend an anti-fungal spray.

Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana)
Callery Pear – Pyrus calleryana, Julie Metz Wetlands, Woodbridge, Virginia Judy Gallagher CC BY 2.0

However, Japanese pear rust, while unsightly and a nuisance, is generally not something that is going to kill your plant. It doesn’t occur year after year, so it might be best to try just waiting it out for the rest of the growing season. This fungus will also affect junipers.

  • Fire Blight

Fire blight is another disease that can be spread by rain, wind, insects, or pruning with unsterilized tools.6 Fire blight causes leaves and branches to turn brown, die off, and shed. From a distance, the trees themselves look healthy. But if you look up into the tree closely you will see small dead branches at the end of a limb ready to fall.

  • The Leaves Are Turning Brown and Dropping Off

With very few exceptions, most young trees will thrive better if planted in the spring or fall. Trees planted during the summer months struggle with an immature root system that can’t uptake enough water and nutrients. The result could be brown and dying leaves shed from the branches. Watering at this point will not correct the problem since the roots have to set in before photosynthesis can begin working efficiently.

Just like other plants, watering schedules for young Bradford pear trees are dependent on a number of variables. You will need to consider the amount of rainfall your area receives. Soil type, drainage, and the size of the tree will also affect its water needs. For young trees, a gallon of water twice a week is a good starting point.

  • The Leaves on My Bradford Pear Are Turning Yellow

Yellowing leaves on your tree could indicate a soil problem. You can do a soil test or take a sample to your local cooperative extension to have it tested for deficiencies. Chances are, though, this problem is more likely caused by the type of soil in which you planted.

Soils with a lot of clay hold water longer than sandy soils. Over-watering or too much rain in clay soils can result in root rot. The roots will drown because they can’t get enough oxygen. As the roots die, the leaves will turn yellow.

If the whole tree is not dead, there may be time to work compost into the soil to improve drainage though there are no guarantees this will succeed. It may be a good time to remove the plant, amend the soil, and replace it with a better landscape tree.

III. Uses and Benefits

  • Ornamental uses

Bradford pear is common in many home and public gardens, prized for its luscious white flowers and attractive foliage. Gardeners who like to attract pollinators or simply like an easy and fast-growing flowering ornamental tree typically go for bradford pear. Often grown in cottage and courtyard gardens, it works well when planted with dwarf lilac, African marigolds, and clover.

Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana)
Pyrus calleryana & cvs. briweldon CC BY 2.0
  • Other uses

Pear wood (of any species) is among the finest-textured of all fruitwoods. It is prized for making woodwind instruments, and pear veneer is used in fine furniture. Pear wood is also among those preferred for preparing woodcuts for printing, either end-grained for small works or side-grained for larger.

Callery pear has been used as rootstock for grafting such pear cultivars as Comice, Bosc, or Seckel, and especially for Nashi. Pyrus calleryana was first introduced into the United States in 1909 and 1916, largely influenced by the dedicated research of Frank N. Meyer, plant explorer for the US Department of Agriculture, commonly known for the discovery of the Meyer lemon, for agricultural experimentation, pre-dating recognition in the 1950s of the species’ potential as an ornamental plant.

IV. Harvesting and Storage

Depending on the variety and species, bradford pear takes 3 to 10 years to bear fruits, and the fruits mature by mid-summer to fall. Pears should be harvested when they are mature, but not ripe. They will ripen in storage. An easy way to do this is to put them together with fruits like bananas and apples, since ethylene that those fruits give out can accelerate the ripening. Unripe fruit can be stored in cool temperatures around 4 ℃ in the dark, without any light, for 1 to 2 months. After ripening, the fruit is usually consumed fresh or is processed by drying, pureeing, and canning, depending on your purpose and preference.

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