Description: The Bradford ornamental pear, a thornless seedling selection, was developed from the Callery pear, a wild species found growing in China by a USDA plant explorer.The Bradford pear thrives under a wide range of soil, moisture, and climatic conditions in the US. In the East, it can grow successfully as far north as upper New York State and as far south as northern Florida. It also grows well along the Pacific coast.
The Bradford has been called 'the tree for all seasons' because of its ability to stage a succession of ornamental displays from March to November. It has abundant flower clusters in the spring and shimmering leaves throughout the summer, which turn many shades of red in the fall.
It grows quickly in its early years. With proper amounts of moisture and fertilizer, the tree can reach a height of 12 feet in 4 years. In about 50 years when it has reached maturity, it may be as tall as 50 feet and as wide as 30 feet.