How to Identify a Bradford Pear Tree

Bradford, or Callery, pear trees are common in home and city landscaping, and you can often see their white blossoms in the springtime. Identify if the flowering tree near your home or workplace is a Bradford pear using these signs.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Observe the leaf. Bradford leaves are simple, medium green in color, have a round shape that comes to a point and smooth edges with a slight ripple.

2. Note the flowers, if the tree is flowering. Bradford pears flower heavily in springtime, and the flower is white with five or so petals. One distinctive feature of the blossoms is their rotten, fishy smell, which can vary in intensity from year to year.

3. Observe the tree height. Fully grown trees can reach 30 to 50 feet in height, and the tree girth can be 20 to 35 feet. The tree shape tends to be symmetrical and ovular.

4. Look at the branches which frequently extend from roughly the same base height vertically and tapering toward the top of the tree. They are beautiful in the winter when they are without leaves and the branch structure is visible.

5. Check for fruit in the last spring or early summer. Bradford pear fruit doesn't look pear-shaped, but instead is small—less than 1/2 inch—and also round, hard and brown. It's inedible at this stage. The fruit doesn't cause a big mess or attract much wildlife and may not even be noticeable, if you don't look closely.

Tips & Warnings

• There are many types of pear trees. While Bradford Pears are common in landscaping, there are other closely related types that may have slightly different characteristics. Some of those others may have edible fruit.

[gger55]

on 9/10/2008 Why would a Bradford pear have thorns? thanks gger55

[gger55]

on 9/10/2008 We have a bradford pear and aristocrat pear in our yard. I planted the seeds from one of the trees and that tree is five years old. The tree is full of thorns but looks identical otherwise. Does anyone know what caused this?