How to Plant a New Bradford Pear Tree
Bradford pear (Pyrus calleryana) is the first Callery pear cultivar and is often called Bradford Callery pear or ornamental pear. Bradford pear trees are typically grown for their ornamental value and not for the fruits. This pear tree produces white blossoms in the spring and dark, glossy, green leaves that change to vivid reds, yellows, oranges and purples in the fall. Plant Bradford pear trees in areas within USDA hardiness zones 5A to 9A for best results. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Plant Bradford pear trees early in the season, as soon as you can work the soil. Pick planting sites that provide full sun, well-draining soil and enough room for the mature tree.
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Dig a hole to a depth equal the root ball and at least double the width. Use a rake to loosen the sides of the hole, which allows the roots to spread easily.
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Examine the root system on the pear tree. Cut off any damaged or frail roots and loosen any tangled roots. Prune roots to equal lengths.
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Place the Bradford pear tree in the center of the hole and spread the roots out. Check the height of the tree and add or remove soil until the tree's height is a few inches higher than the height it was previously planted, which allows for settling.
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Backfill the hole partially and work the soil around the roots. Finish filling the hole and then pack the soil to get rid of any air pockets.
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Saturate the planting area with water to settle the pear tree in place. Soak with water weekly for the first season when rainfall fails to maintain moist soil.
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Cover the planting area with 3 inches of mulch. Keep the mulch at least 1 foot away from the trunk of the Bradford pear tree.
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Prune back the top of the Bradford pear to a height between 30 and 36 inches. Remove all side branches to within 1/4 inch of the tree's trunk.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Bradford pear bloom image by k9dg from Fotolia.com
