Your opinion: Bradford pear vs hardwoods?

Callery pears (Bradford, Cleveland, Aristocrt) are indeed beautiful, early to flower, almost disease free, great summer and late autumn color. Fast growing, too. But I think they're too common in the midwest. The great old neighborhoods have mature hardwoods: red oaks, pin oaks, sugar maples, etc. Do you think homeowners in new subdivisions should plant more hardwoods? Even though payback is 15 -20 years away?
Your opinion: Bradford pear vs hardwoods?
I agree that Callery pear is over used. In Michigan, there's at least one installed with every new construction home.



I was at a customers home this last week, and she is 'in love' with them. While there, in her back yard, I counted no less than eight in sight. There were many more to be sure. Now they appear to be quite disease and insect resistant, but once a 'bug-a-boo' does hit, they'll fall like domino's.



It doesn't help that cities plant them by the hundreds, neighbors copy off one another, inexperienced landscapers use it because it's the only tree that they know, and it's the cheapest (I usually use inexpensive, but in this case I'll make an exception) tree on the market.



Have we learned nothing from; American chestnut blight, Dutch Elm disease, and now Emerald Ash borer?



I would much prefer to see 'hardwood' trees planted. Zelkova is great, Ginkgo, Dawn redwood, Linden, and ofcourse oak and beech are all very good trees. But instead: Callery pear, red maple and green ash.



Thanks for the opportunity to express. I like the diversity of answers, alot of people in or at least observing the industry.
Reply:Absolutely. Big, mature hardwood trees are what give older, established neighborhoods their comfortable vibe.



Pears are what I call "builder basic". It's the tree the builder puts in the front yard because he has to.. by law or code, or just to make the house look more appealing. You can judge the age many Midwestern subdivisions by the size of their Bradford pears. You can also tell if there has been a big windstorm recently by the number of Bradford pears that are only half a tree or are sprouting up from the stump of the tree that was destroyed in the last big wind or ice event.



The town I live in now offers homeowners a cash rebate if they plant 'desirable' trees. The trees are various cultivars of oaks and maples. It's a city sponsored program. tax dollars doing good work for the long-term good of the town- very refreshing!
Reply:If you are looking for a flowering tree, do not get the Bradford pear unless you know how to use a chain saw. It would be better to get a flowering crab apple or plant a hardwood known for its fall colors.
Reply:I agree. i like the hardwoods better. The Bradfords are beautiful, but way too common, they also will not hold up in a strong wind, and require a lot of pruning to retain their shape. Where i live in Arkansas, oaks are best suited. I planted a silver leaf maple three years ago, and it is doing well.
Reply:Bradford pears are beautiful, especially in the spring and fall. However, they are brittle and will snap in a strong wind. They won't last near as long as a hardwood. Also, some people think they look too "perfect" because of the round foliage shape. Hardwoods grow slower but last longer and you can find varieties that color up just as nicely as a Bradford in the fall.

Payback on a hardwood isn't necessarily that long, because you can buy a tree that is already fairly mature and will provide enjoyment within a few years. I think hardwoods are nicer in the long run and think homowners should go that route, but the problem is that the new houses are not designed to produce old, great neighborhoods from the past. They are thrown up quickly and packed close together. People these days want instant gratification and that's what they buy.
Reply:I agree with you, too many of those bradford pears, and they are not that pretty. I like big shade trees, like catalpa, sycamore, maple, oak, even pecan. Real trees.
Reply:I personally like the Bradford Pear, I love the white blooms in gets in the Spring, But I think as homeowners you have the right to plant what ever you want.
Reply:This is one of those compare apples to oranges kind of questions. faster growing trees vs. slower growing trees. I personally like the oaks and maples but feel that the majority will choose the faster growing trees.
Reply:I live in NC and Bradfords are very common here as well as tree removal services. We were very fortunate that the house we bought has a nice maple in the front yard.
Reply:I think hardwoods are beautiful. Also, how about pines of all sorts....they are so beautiful, and look great during the winter, especially when it is snowy....they make great wind breaks and have nice cones which are fun to gather and scent your house for the fall and winter season.....I don't know if your neck of the woods is right for white birches, but they are very beautiful ... they add light to the garden ....as do weeping willows, chestnuts, and exotic maples......
Reply:Hardwoods- period. The one drawback is that they require work (i.e. raking, picking up fallen seeds). The saddest fact is that too many people are lazy.



I would go one step past the native hardwoods and say native plants all the way. Better for native fauna and the water/upkeep bill!
Reply:I prefer Bradford's because of their hardiness. And, they aren't just common in your neck of the woods, they are common in mine too...Texas. I like Live Oaks as well, but my yard is too small for one.
Reply:YES. I love hardwood trees especially oak trees. I also like Birch trees, I think they are just pretty. and the Redbud tree as it matures is lovely also.



I've always been told that the BradfordPear was pretty easily broken by ice and wind storms. They are a pretty tree though.

Have you looked at the Australian wind break trees they are a fast growing tree and great for property if you are in the country and need to stop some wind.
Reply:I'd go with the hardwoods because that's what I have in my yard and I love them. I live in a area in zone 7 that has fairly mild winters, however our winds are unbelievable at times and we are prone to at least one good ice storm every other year. If you drive through my town you would see Bradford pears with big bite marks out of their canopies because of where the ice or wind claimed several of the tree branches. Bradfords are lovely, but even their own weight can break the branches. My neighbor has two Bradfords and I was actually present one day when his tree dropped several big branches for no reason other that the fact that they are weak. Now the tree looks like Rubber Band man's head. Anyhow, there are other Pears that have been bred to be stronger and more upright than spreading so if people want Pears then they should get them, but I'd stay away from the Bradford Pear.
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