World Plants Logo

search the world

Woody > Pyrus > Pyrus calleryana > Pyrus calleryana 'Bradford'

Pyrus calleryana

'Bradford'


Bradford Callery Pear




            Mike's Opinion

this is Mike

"

Visually appealing tree in the summer and autumn months and especially adaptable to many different soils, but its biggest downfall is the weak crotches. It has outstanding bloom and autumn colour but since its is weak-wooded, I would recommend other cultivars.



Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)

"

Family
Rosaceae
Genus
Pyrus
Species
calleryana
Cultivar
'Bradford'
Category
Woody
Type
Tree (deciduous)
Pronunciation
USDA Hardiness Zone
5–8
Canadian Hardiness Zone
6b
Height
9-15 m
Spread
6 m
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
May
General Description
‘Bradford’ is the original Callery Pear and has inferior branching habit when compared to other cultivars. It has many vertical limbs with embedded bark packed closely on the trunk. The crown is dense and the branches long and not tapered.
Cultivation
Very adaptable to many different soils; tolerates dryness, pollution, but should be sited in full sun.
Shape
Moderately conical to pyridmidal in youth but broadening with age.
Growth
Fast
ID Characteristic
Prone to twig breaks, since the wood is quite weak.Showy white flowers in spring and small rounded fruit in late summer is spectacular and is one of the top trees of its class.
Pests
Variable resistance to fireblight which is so troublesome to the common Pear, (Pyrus). Basically free of pests.
Habitat
Horticultural origin.
Bark/Stem Description
Lustrous brown in youth, lightly ridged and furrowed and gray-brown at maturity.
Flower/Leaf Bud Description
Large terminal and laterals of approximately same size, ovoid, elongated, 1.2 cm long, intensely woolly, dirty gray to gray-brown.
Leaf Description
Dark green, alternate, simple, broad ovate to ovate, to 7 cm long, about as wide, rarely elliptic ovate, short acuminate, rounded, and leathery.
Flower Description
White, 1.5-2 cm across, borne in 7 cm diameter corymbs before or with the leaves. Stunning in bloom.
Fruit Description
Small rounded pome, 1.25 cm or less across, russet dotted, hidden by the foliage; not ornamentally effective; may be present in great quantities.
Colour Description
Outstanding glossy dark green in summer changing to glossy scarlet and purple shades in the autumn.
Texture Description
Medium in leaf, ridged bark.
Propagation
Bradford is a grafted form.
goToTop
top