A Tree With White Flowers That Smells Bad
Bradford pear trees (Pyrus calleryana "Bradford") are a treat for the eyes. These ornamental fruit trees put forth a profusion of white flowers in the spring. The showy appearance of Bradford pear trees makes them popular with home gardeners, but get a little closer to the tree and you may be surprised by the unpleasant scent those pretty flowers emit. Does this Spark an idea?
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Appearance
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Bradford pear trees grow to a maximum height of around 40 feet, with a canopy width about the same or slightly broader than the height. At maturity, the tree retains a dense, pyramidal shape. The tree blooms with white flowers in the spring, followed by bright green leaves and dark red fruit in the summer. In the fall, the tree puts on another showy display, with leaves of bright orange, red or deep maroon.
Scent
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The flowers of Bradford pear trees have a fragrance that is not appealing to most people. The smell is described as "rank" or "fishy." For that reason, it is not a good idea to plant these trees by a window, patio or other place people might gather in the spring. Another cultivar of P. calleryana named "Cleveland Select" has better-smelling flowers and is generally hardier than the Bradford cultivar.
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Culture
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Bradford pear trees are adaptable to a wide range of soil and environmental conditions. They will grow well even in poor soils and are often planted in urban areas for that reason. Bradford pears will also grow in polluted areas and can tolerate periods of drought and even very wet conditions. They are pest and disease-resistant as well.
Problems
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Bradford pear trees have other disadvantages besides the unpleasant scent they produce. The branches grow quite close to each other, creating a profile that is very susceptible to ice and wind damage. The trees do not live for very long --- usually only for about 20 years --- and often look misshapen due to missing branches that are either pruned off to increase the life of the tree, or break off due to the aforementioned problems with wind and ice.
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References
- Clemson University Extension; Bradford Pear; Debbie Shaughnessy, et al.; May 1999
- University of Florida Extension; Pyrus calleryana 'Bradford': 'Bradford' Callery Pear; Edward F. Gilman, et al.; November 1993
- "Emmitsburg News-Journal"; The Master Gardeners: The Pros and Cons of Bradford Pears; Marc Montefusco
