What tree would you put in place of the Bradford Pear?

jess2132000

12 years ago

We would like to have the biggest bradford pear taking down in the fall. We will probably have the other one done in a year or two as well. The front and biggest one is going first and we want to replace it with another smaller tree. I am considering Japanese White Lilac ir Purple Plum. Any sugguestions which one would look best out front of the house?

{{gwi:37580}}

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (14)

billydoo
12 years ago
Cleveland pear! ;-)
brandon7 TN_zone7
12 years ago
Billy, I sure hope you are just kidding. Maybe that's what the winking smiley was for, but I can't tell.
Related Discussions
bradford pear trees
Q
Comments (15)
I just move in my house about 5 months ago so this is all new to me. After reading all the post it might be best that I do just cut it down with a labor. But my wife isn't really sure about this so maybe it might be a good idea to let the tree flower in the spring and if I really don't like it and can't do something with the shaded area then I'll just get a chain saw and a labor and just cut the thing down and don't worry about pruning it. Thanks you everyone I know more and feel more comfortable if I cut the tree down and I have a feeling that just might be what I'll do but I would like to wait until after it blooms and that will satisfy my wife too. Thanks again.
...See More
Advise - tree to replace our Bradford Pear
Q
Comments (12)
"I have my raincoat for the resultant eggs" While they have their draw backs, like a slightly unpleasant odor when you put your noise in the flowers, Cleveland pears meet most of your requirements. Relatively fast growing, white flowers, compact, and taller than they are wide. Etc. Being more compact they are less prone to damage than Bradfords. Depending where you are, Apricot trees can be a very attractive addition to the yard. In this area (20 miles east of Raleigh NC) they are an early blooming tree that are relatively small. Problem they are hard to find. We have been trying to catch some at the right time in the spring for several years now to take cuttings. We are going to try again this spring.
...See More
Bradford pear trees are nothing but big weeds!
Q
Comments (13)
We have these invasive flowering pear trees all around. They are like the borg. In riprarian areas, vacant lots and pastures. If it were my land and I didn't intend to farm it, I suppose I would plant the pasture with the most-agressive native tree I could find (at the lowest cost, in bulk) and try to crowd them out. Around here I'd try some weedy natives, like maybe Red Maple and kick in some desirables like Tulip Poplar, a few good pines, bald cypress in the wet spots and maybe a few "import" desirables like dawn redwood to dress it up -- my grandkids would have a forest! I've put some thought into this becuase a few lots I've contemplated buying are former pine plantations that were cut out, but the pines pioneer back in pretty quick. If you have a tractor and disk harrow to turn the soil, I don't know if tilling it up good during the driest/hottest part of the year would kill 'em off -- of course then you'd have to contend with erosion from any rain showers that popped up.
...See More
What's wrong with the Bradford Pears in Raleigh?
Q
Comments (24)
I just found this thread. I manage an apple orchard in north Durham County (Bahama to be exact). My apple varieties are mostly heirloom and therefore susceptible to most diseases. I started the orchard in 2007 and this year is the absolute worst year for fireblight. I've had fireblight strikes in the past but have been able to keep them at bay by pruning out the strikes and spraying streptomycin. Streptomycin is an antibiotic spray. It is usually effective but in years where fireblight is so bad, the spray only works a little. This is also the first year I have noticed bradford pear trees affected by fireblight. I can't explain it and don't understand why. I've asked the local ag extension folks but they don't know. The bradford pear trees in my area (and I have noticed them everywhere in central NC) are absolutely blackened by FB. Some of them will die, most of them will suffer severe structure loss. I have lost 1/3 of my apple trees. And it isn't cedar apple rust, I spray for that, too. I wish I had better news and a better explanation. Frankly, I hope it kills all the bradford pears. I'd be cool with that.
...See More
jamiedolan
12 years ago
Are you afraid it is going to break and fall on your house / car? That does happen. It is a pretty tree and it's giving you some shade.

Are you looking to just put in something ornamental that doesn't get more than about 10' x 10'?
jess2132000
Original Author
12 years ago
Well i was thinking White lilac tree which gets 20 ft high or something not as tall as this. Yes it scares me to think of this breaking onto the cars and also the roots are starting to crack the driveway. im gonna miss the shade but want to replace it with a smaller tree with less agressive roots. May move it over a foot or two to the right more as well.
whaas_5a
12 years ago
Your Japanese Lilac tree is a good choice. They are quite drought tolerant once established and you definitely need that for that location. I really like the 'Summer Snow' cultivar. Blooms on't brown as much as they fade compared to 'Ivory Silk'.

'Sundak' also looks like a promising cultivar. Leaves are smaller so it gives a finer texture, which may be more desirable based on the close proximity to the house. I believe it is crossed with Prunus maackii so it has a peely, more vibrant bark compared to the the other Lilacs.
jamiedolan
12 years ago
Just some ideas....

You could also look at a large slow growing tree that doesn't tend to have the aggressive root problems. Such as a sugar maple.

A Korean maple looks similar to a Japanese Maple, but may be a bit tougher. It would not be very aggressive and would get to around 15 feet.

Jamie
laceyvail 6A, WV
12 years ago
Consider a Halesia if you want a flowering tree, very beautiful, some types taller than others. Japanese tree lilacs don't smell very good in flower.
lou_spicewood_tx
12 years ago
Trident Maple or Shantung Maple. Medium size.

Hopefully, that large bradford pear won't split in half and fall on your car or the house. I've seen that happen a few times over the years whenever a very strong storm blew through.
gardener365
12 years ago
I think Koelreuteria paniculata would look nice.

Dax
Iris GW
12 years ago
Koelreuteria paniculata - excessive seedlings can be a problem.

How does Crape Myrtle do in Pennsylvania? (And as long as you don't try to keep it pruned because that makes it ugly.)
billydoo
12 years ago
yes, i am very much kidding. i learned of their viral habit after mine was planted.
gardener365
12 years ago
Laburnum anagyroides or Styrax japonicus: options

Dax
drrich2
12 years ago
Would a paperbark maple survive there? Not familiar with that locality.

Richard.
whaas_5a
12 years ago
Sure it would but not the right spot in opinion. Too exposed, too dry, too much concrete, plenty of pitch so most water will run off unless you have slow soakers. Not to mention if its a busy road might get some salt spray too.

Drought tolerance is key!

What tree would you put in place of the Bradford Pear?

Comments (14)

billydoo

brandon7 TN_zone7

Related Discussions

jamiedolan

jess2132000
Original Author

whaas_5a

jamiedolan

laceyvail 6A, WV

lou_spicewood_tx

gardener365

Iris GW

billydoo

gardener365

drrich2

whaas_5a

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

What tree would you put in place of the Bradford Pear?

Comments (14)

Related Discussions

jess2132000Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

jess2132000
Original Author