It’s dogwood, it’s apple blossoms ... no, it’s an unplanned row of Bradford pear trees along a service road in Norton. Virginia’s Department of Concervation and Recreation considers the species — once a staple of decorative flora — an invasive species because of its smell and brittleness of the wood when stressed by snow or high winds.
It’s dogwood, it’s apple blossoms ... no, it’s an unplanned row of Bradford pear trees along a service road in Norton. Virginia’s Department of Concervation and Recreation considers the species — once a staple of decorative flora — an invasive species because of its smell and brittleness of the wood when stressed by snow or high winds.
WISE – If you are looking for fresh fruit or decorative landscaping, the Bradford pear tree may not be a good choice.
While redbud season has begun in southwest Virginia, white-blossomed Bradford pear trees are dominating the view along highways, roads and fields in the region. Phil Meeks, the Virginia Cooperative Extension Agent for Wise County, said the trees can be confused for other species if you are driving by and give them a passing look.
Bradfords – a selectively-bred version of the Callery pear – was brought to the U.S. more than a century ago in an attempt to breed disease-resistant pear trees for fruit. The result, Meeks said, was another member of Virginia’s official list of invasive plant species with marble-sized fruit and an unpleasant smell.
Bradford pear wood is dense but brittle, Meeks said, and the trees grow with forked trunks that break easily under the load of snowfall or strong winds.
While Bradford pears used to be planted as ornamental trees in public places or for landscaping, Meeks said the trees have spread outside landscaped settings. This season, they seem to be more noticeable than ever, he added.
“A lot of people see them and may think they’re dogwood, apple blossoms or serviceberry,” said Meeks, “but they’re just Bradford pears.”
While Virginia has not banned Bradfords, Meeks said, they are considered an invasive species by the state’s Department of Conservation and Recreation. Much of the spread of Bradfords come when birds and small animals eat the fruit and spread seeds.
Ohio has banned the sale and planting of Bradfords, he added, while South Carolina and Pennsylvania expected to enforce bans in 2024.
“A well-intentioned and knowledgeable nursery owner will not sell Bradford pear,” Meeks said.
While considered undesirable, Bradford pear wood has its uses, Meeks said.
“A cord of Bradford per wood can generate 26.5 million British thermal units of heat when burned,” said Meeks. “That’s more than persimmon wood with 26.4 million Btus, black locust at 25.2 million Btus, hickory at 24.5 million or white oak at 24.3 million Btus.”
Osage orange wood beats Bradford, with 29.7 million Btus, Meeks said, but is found outside the region. He said he has heard that Bradford pear makes a good fuel for smoking meats.
As for caring for existing Bradford pear trees on one’s property, Meeks recalled one piece of advice.
“On one website, it said the best way to care for Bradford pears is to prune heavily on a horizontal line just above ground level,” Meeks said, laughing.
