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3 COMMON PROBLEMS THAT AFFECT BRADFORD PEAR TREES

By Admin • Oct 08, 2018

Bradford Pear Tree — St. Louis, MO — County Tree Service

From its fast-growing nature and elegant floral blooms to its enormous height and spread, the benefits of planting a Bradford pear tree in your yard should be easy to see. These trees can grow up to 50 feet tall and add a good amount of color and shade to your landscape, but certain issues are known to affect their health and future growth.

If you have one or more Bradford pear trees in your yard, you need to understand how to care for and protect them in your landscape. Here are a few common issues that can affect your Bradford pear tree.

1. Structural Damage

Bradford pear trees grow tall and grow fast, but they are not the most durable trees you can have in your yard. Rain, sleet, ice, wind gusts, or more severe storms can cause the cause the trunk or branches to split and eventually break and fall onto the ground. It is common to wake up to a large limb from a Bradford tree laying on your roof or driveway.

These trees are more susceptible to storm damage than other trees because of the way in which these trees grow. Bradford trees have branches that grow at narrow angles from the trunk of the tree. These branches weaken the longer (and older) they get, resulting in the splitting that damages the tree during storms.

To reduce the risk of this damage, pruning off diseased or damaged branches and limbs in the late part of winter is imperative. By removing this damage, you will reduce unnecessary weight, which will strengthen the tree's trunk and other branches and limbs.

2. Fire Blight

Fire blight is a disease that can affect your Bradford pear tree. It is caused by a bacteria, which spreads through the tree quickly. Here are a few signs of fire blight disease:

Canker sores on wood
Brownish liquid oozing from wood
Burnt-looking twigs
Discolored leaves
Early defoliation of leaves

If your Bradford pear tree is experiencing one or more of the above signs, consult a professional for treatment. An application of bactericide is necessary to stop the disease from spreading. While there is no cure for fire blight, treatment with a bactericide is essential to prevent further damage to the tree.

You also need to prune off diseased areas of the tree to combat fire blight. After pruning, disinfect tools properly using rubbing alcohol, since the disease can infect plants and trees that you use the same pruning tools on. Dispose tree debris safely, as well, to avoid any risk of contaminating other plants.

3. Leaf Spot

Leaf spot is another common issue that can affect your Bradford pear tree. Caused by fungus, leaf spot can be prevented by controlling moisture in the tree.

Remove interior branches that are connecting or growing haphazardly. This will improve air flow through the tree, reducing moisture while preventing fungal growth. If you notice spots on the tops or bottom of the leaves, the tree is most likely already infected with leaf spot disease. Spots may range in color from a deep red to a rustic brown.

Fortunately, leaf spot disease is not life-threatening for your tree. In most cases, it will only affect the look of your tree. Since this can affect your home's curb appeal and value, apply a fungicide to your tree to stop leaf spot from spreading.

With proper planting and care, trees can be a great investment for your home. For information on caring for your Bradford pear or other trees, contact County Tree Service today. We have the knowledge and expertise to treat your trees.

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