Bradford Pear
A staple of southern landscaping, Bradford Pear Trees can be spotted in many Texas lawns from Austin all the way to Tyler. With an appearance of being covered in snow (when blooming), they have a unique sense of beauty and can be trusted to improve looks of a lawn very quick due to how fast they grow. Yet many landscape professionals have various hesitations towards planting these trees. Here are some points that you should consider before you commit to years of potential issues of the scenic tree.
Due to their rapid growth, Bradford Pears consistently have weak and thin limbs and branches. It can be nearly guaranteed that in a storm with high winds these limbs will not be able to withstand the force. The damage could range from minor incidents such as cluttering a driveway, but could do significant harm in the case of falling on a powerline or even a vehicle or a person. Because of the frequent storms seen in Texas, it would be wise to stick with a tree such as a Magnolia or a Bur Oak considering that they have a much higher density.
A common fact that you may or may not know about these trees is that they commonly carry a smell often compared to rotting fish. Though it can be faint, it is wise to consider how it could impact time spent outside in the spring and summer. Many believe that the stench is strong enough to send people back inside their home, hoping the get away from the smell.
Potentially the most significant and underestimated downside to these trees is that they are an invasive species. As a hybrid, they are not native to Texas and in turn often don’t allow for more common Texas trees the water and room to grow. The Bradford Pear grows at an intense rate, so they take in a large amount of water that negatively impacts the growth of surrounding nature.
Perhaps by this point, I have introduced the thought provoking question of “should I remove my Bradford Pear before any more issues occur? And if I want to remove it, how am I going to do that?” Don’t fret, the solution is tough but sure to work! The first step would be to cut it down. It is much better to allow for a controlled scenario to bring it down as opposed to a storm bringing it down. Next is removing the stump as a whole. This will safeguard from the tree growing back up, but can be an expensive and difficult to do it correctly.
Ultimately, here at Top Choice we want to see healthy and beautiful lawns across Austin. Although these trees are beautiful, it can be assured that they aren’t necessarily healthy for the lawn or home as a whole. If there are lingering questions or points needed to be clarified, give us a call or email and we’re more than willing to bring more light to the subject or even help you bring a solution to this problem.