How to Deal With Bradford Pear Trees in the Carolinas
Bradford Pear Trees may be pretty to look at, but this invasive species may be a threat to your outdoor living space
By now, you’ve probably heard about the White Menace – we’re talking about the Bradford Pear Tree. Scientifically, this tree is known as “Pyrus calleryana”, and the Bradford Pear Tree was actually at one time promoted in the United States. Lady Bird Johnson, wife of President Johnson, actually planted a Bradford Pear Tree in Washington, DC, in 1966 in an effort to get people around the country to plant them.
What’s So Bad About Bradford Pear Trees?
We don’t have any qualms about the way Bradford Pear Trees look. In fact, we think they look great and can be a really pretty as spring starts to bloom in the Carolinas. In fact, the white blooms of the Bradford Pear Tree look similar to the Dogwood which is the official state flower of our neighbors to the north in North Carolina.
The problem comes in when you take a look at the ecological effects Bradford Pear Trees can have on local landscaping. For starters, these trees are not native to the United States. They come from China and are considered an invasive species.
They have weak branches that are prone to failure, leaving them looking unsightly. Pear rust is another issue where rot sets in and causes these trees to look downright nasty after a while. The disease can then spread to nearby foliage and ruin an otherwise pristine outdoor living space.
The smell of Bradford Pear Trees has been compared to that of a wet dog or rotting fish
The Smell of Bradford Pear Trees
Another issue is the smell. Some have described the smell of a Bradford Pear Tree as akin to that of a wet dog, while others say that these trees stink like rotting fish. However you describe it, there’s no getting around it – Bradford Pear Trees stink.
Imagine you’re having an outdoor get-together around your backyard water feature or outdoor fire pit. Everyone is laughing and having a great time. Suddenly, a light breeze blows in the stench of wet dogs and dead fish. Talk about a way to ruin a party!
Bradford Trees Aren’t All Bad
Before we get into how to manage Bradford Pear Trees in the Carolinas, let’s back up for a second to examine the pros and cons. You may find that having Bradford Pear Trees as part of your landscaping can work depending on how you plan to use your outdoor living space.
Bradford Pear Trees aren’t all that bad - they even have some benefits!
The Pros of Bradford Pear Trees
Bloom early in the spring and look really nice
Are very tolerant of urban environments
Grow well in various types of soil
Blooms change color and look great during the fall
The Cons of Bradford Pear Trees
Weak branches
Prone to rot
Smell really bad
Only last around two decades
Can reduce biodiversity
Managing Bradford Pear Trees sometimes means removing them, but this isn’t the only option for dealing with these invasive pests
Managing Bradford Pear Trees Around Your Landscaping
When it comes to managing Bradford Pear Trees in the Rock Hill SC area, you have a number of options. Some are more involved than others, but this can depend on how bad the problem is and how much of a threat they are to your landscaping.
Below are some ways to manage Bradford Pear Trees around your outdoor living space:
Consider Removal
If you already have Bradford Pear Trees on your property in Rock Hill, consider having a professional landscaping company remove them and replace them with native or non-invasive alternative species. While removal can be a difficult decision, especially for mature trees, it is often the most effective way to prevent further spread and restore ecological balance to your landscaping.
Wildlife, such as birds, can spread the seeds of Bradford Pear Trees and make the problem worse
Control Seed Spread
To prevent the spread of Bradford Pear Trees, it's crucial to control the seeds by removing and properly disposing of fruit before it ripens. This can help prevent birds and other wildlife from spreading seeds to nearby natural areas too. Once seeds spread, they can germinate and establish new populations.
Monitor and Manage Seedlings
Keep an eye out for Bradford Pear seedlings in your landscaping and remove them to prevent them from becoming established. Be particularly vigilant in areas where birds and wildlife may deposit seeds, such as under bird feeders or near forest edges. Remember that wildlife can be attracted to water features and outdoor kitchen areas. While it’s nice to have birds come and visit when you’re relaxing in your outdoor living space, these same birds can spread Bradford Pear Tree seeds.
Promote Biodiversity
We also recommend that you enhance the resilience of your landscape by promoting biodiversity and planting a diverse array of native plants. By creating a habitat for native wildlife and supporting pollinators and other beneficial insects, you can help restore ecological balance and reduce the spread of invasive species like Bradford Pear Trees.
You can help stop the spread of Bradford Pear Trees by talking with and educating others in the Rock Hill community
Educate Others
We don’t recommend that you become a busybody, but you can raise awareness about the ecological impacts of Bradford Pear Trees and encourage others to avoid planting them in their landscaping. By sharing information about alternative tree species and the importance of native plants, you can help prevent further spread and protect the natural beauty of South Carolina.
Work With a Professional Landscaper
Lastly, we encourage you to work with a professional landscaper to mitigate the effects of Bradford Pear Trees. Our team receives calls all the time about these trees, and we develop custom plans for each of our customers. Sometimes this means removal, but in other cases, we’re able to create alternative plans that keep these trees in check so our customers can continue to enjoy them and their outdoor living spaces.
Contact Ground FX Landscaping & Water Features to Learn How We Can Help in the Rock Hill SC Area
Whether you’re dealing with Bradford Pear Trees in the Rock Hill area or you want to protect your outdoor living space from invasive plants, Ground FX Landscaping & Water Features can help. Our team provides comprehensive landscaping, hardscaping, and water feature design, installation, maintenance, and repair across the Rock Hill region.
Call us today at (803) 371-2324, or use our contact form to schedule your on-site consultation and estimate today!
