How to Take Care of Bradford Pear Trees
Bradford pear trees make delicious fruits, white blossoms and full green branches features of your home garden. These pear trees grow to be approximately 45 feet high and 25 feet wide. The bright green leaves turn to a burgundy purple, adding color pop to your landscaping. While Bradford pear trees are not especially difficult to care for, taking the time to do some basic care will help ensure a healthy tree with plentiful fruit yield. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Fertilize your pear tree using specially designed fruit tree fertilizer every two years. Spread fertilizer approximately two weeks prior to spring blooming. Follow the fertilizer package instructions exactly, as instructions do vary between brands. Some fertilizers are spread directly on the ground while others must be mixed with water.
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Weed around your pear tree on a weekly basis, wearing gloves for hand protection. Mulch around your tree to aid in keeping weeds at bay and holding moisture in the ground, particularly if your area experiences hot summers.
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Prune your tree every spring, being careful not to cut too much. Bradford pear trees are susceptible to fire blight, so less is more when it comes to pruning. Begin by removing the dead branches using your garden clippers. Carefully clip back any smaller branches that are crossing or trying to compete with larger branches.
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Set a beehive within 50 feet of your Bradford pear tree to aid in pollination. Because pear blossoms do not have as much sugar as blossoms on other trees, ensuring that they are properly pollinated can be problematic. A beehive can help to ensure that lots of prospective pollinators are nearby, increasing the chances for good pollination and fruiting.
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