Callery 'Bradford' Pear

Description:

Widely planted as ornamental trees, they have become an ubiquity in many urban and suburban communities. It is tolerant of a variety of soil types, drainage levels, and soil acidity. Its crown shape varies from ovate to elliptical. The symmetry of several cultivars lends to their use in somewhat formal settings, such as city streets, shopping centers, office parks, and industrial parks. Its dense clusters of white blossoms are conspicuous in early spring along the boulevards of many eastern United States towns. At the latitude of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the trees often remain green until mid-November, and in warm autumns, the colors are often a brilliant end to the fall color season, although in a cold year they may get frozen off before coloring. In the SouthSouth, Callery pears tend to be among the more reliable coloring trees.

Habitat:

Prefers a good well-drained loam in full sun. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Tolerates light shade but does not fruit so well in such a position. Tolerates atmospheric pollution, excessive moisture and a range of soil types if they are moderately fertile. Established plants are drought tolerant. Grows well on acid soils. Plants are hardy to about -40°c when they are fully dormant. There are many named forms selected for their ornamental value. The cultivar 'Bradford' is resistant to fireblight. Resists fireblight, collar rot, root aphis, pear psylla and root lesion nematodes. Trees have a short dormancy period and lose their leaves late in the season.

Notes:

*Fruit - raw or cooked. Best used after it has been exposed to frost, since this will soften and sweeten the flesh. The fruit is about 25mm in diameter. *This species is widely used as a rootstock, especially for cultivars of Pyrus pyrifolia. It is said to induce earlier bearing. The wood of this species is hard and close-grained, and is sometimes used for making furniture and stools. *There are no medicinal uses listed for Pyrus calleryana.