When I first saw my Bradford Pear trees in full bloom, I was in love. Then the wind blew, and one of of the four little buggers fell in our neighbor's yard. The three remaining trees were overgrown, but I really didn't want to pull them out and start over. Once the beautiful bloom of my Bradford Pear trees faded this past April, I realized how badly they needed to be trimmed. I called a landscaping company to do it, and they left me in shock......
Here's our BEFORE shot:
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And AFTER:
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I don't have a ton of experience in tree trimming (or hacking), but I really didn't expect this.
All kidding aside, the trees are already showing new growth, so I think they'll look good next year. The initial shock wore off and I'm much happier with them now then before we got started. If you have Bradford Pears, keep them trimmed and managable. If you're considering Bradford Pears - consider something else. At the very least, don't park your car under them.
--->We finally have it! Here's the contact information for the Brentwood tree trimming service which did such a lovely job on Abby's Bradford pears.
--->Fed up with Bradford pear tree problems? Consider replacing them with native Tennessee trees like redbuds or dogwoods. Here's more information about finding and buying native plants in Tennessee.
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I had four Bradford's that were trimmed (hacked) and were transformed just as the before and after pictures you shared. However, my trees are now full of a green bush like fungus South GA natives refer to as "holly." It has taken over all of my trees and I fear is choking what is left of my trees. I have been told there is nothing I can do. It's too high up to trim and I am afraid my Bradford's are on their last leg(s). Any ideas?
Bradford pear trees don't have thorns. The grafted roots however do, always trim off low limbs that have thorns off a bradford pear.
I have a Bradford in my front yard which was planted way before the hosue came into our hands.Up until last year it bloomed real well and had no signs of problems. We had a record amount of rain last year then a late freeze.In the spring I put in the grass weed and feed because our neighbors decided to let their yard go to crap and the weeds were terrible. Anyways I noticed bout mid to late summer that half the leaves were green and half were black.I usually dont pay attention in the fall when the leaves fall off.This year it hasn't bloomed and the only leaves on it are the black ones from last year.The twigs I pulled off I know are dead due to being brown and how easily they came off.With the storms as of lately in DFW area of Texas none of the branches have been broken off except tiny twigs. Our yard guys trimmed back a few limbs to check it and seem to notice it had some life to it.I also notice when I watered the base of the tree with some miracle grow there is some green looking moss growing up the trunk.What can I do to save it and have it bloom again or am I too late to save it.Should we trim it far back to stubs now or wait till the fall?I even asked if maybe I put too much weed and feed on the yard last year could have poisoned it. We have bout 4 Crape Myrtles in the front and they are doing awesome. Is there a natural organic way to treat it and bring it back or should I just cut it down and start over.I really did enjoy it when it bloomed, it provide nice shade to are small front yard area.
as i sit here at my computer, i hear the sound of chainsaws. I live in an apartment complex, and as of this date, ALL trees have been cut to the nub stage. Horrible, just looks horrible. When u try to tell management that it's too late, to no avail. Even the flowering cherry (umbrella) tree looks like a skeleton.
The problem with our 11 year old Bradford Pears is they are full and green after flowering season, but when all others in the area are flowering beautifully, ours do almost nothing. Only a few scattered blossoms near the bottom. Very disappointing. They have never been pruned and appear the same shape of others in our community. What do you recommend?
My bradfords are 13 and 8 years never thinned or topped yet. I got a tree service out to the house and they told me never to top a Bradford Pear Tree only thin its inside branches and crotch reduction only is the best for the tree..i think i will go that way. $130 for both trees..
we live in Pa and have two Bradford Pear Trees one is about 13 and the other is 8. i had a name by the name of Stephen redding from Happy Tree Service come out a he told me he would thin out the inside branches and crotch reduction on both trees. He would not recommend topping at all.. so I guess the size of the tree will stay the same but just thin the inside out. I have seen some of them cut back so baddly they looked ungly and do not want that look really. He agreed as he has a few that have lasted 30 to 35 years so far. He said he would thin it now in January..