Bradford Pear Tree

cfraz0132

We have several Bradford Pear trees.  When is the best time to trim them back? 

~NB~

Va. Tech recommends pruning them in June because they set flower buds in late summer-fall. Personally, I prefer to prune them in dormancy because it is easier and cleaner and there are fewer insects and spores to worry about. Plus, I dislike Bradford Pears.

cfraz0132

I don't care for them either.  They were there when we bought the house.  Just can't figure out what I want to replace them with.

TarHeels&Rebels

You can prune after they're done blooming and have leafed out.  (They're done here already.) 

Ok, this is one of my pet subjects, so forgive me for a minute.

1) No tree anywhere in the entire wide world should ever be topped.  Ever.  Ever ever ever.  If God wanted trees to grow like that, He'd have done it Himself.  There are 90 million articles out there, so do some googling if you don't believe me.  If a tree company says it should be done, call them ignorant and slam the door in their face.  The power company tops because the tree is in the way of the lines, not because it's a good way to prune.

2) Bradford pears are actually bad trees, and there are 90 million articles out there on that, too.  If you need to prune for strength, study your tree first.  You'll notice that there are limbs that come off the trunk in a V crotch and those that come off in a U crotch.  V limbs will snap in a storm, Us will not.  Remove Vs, ideally when they're young.

3) Bradfords do make great firewood   We removed 3 out of our front yard within the first month of living there and burned them all winter

4) For a replacement ornamental, consider a redbud, dogwood, crabapple, flowering cherry, plum, or maybe a crepe myrtle depending on the site and where you live.  Alternatively, consider replacing with a native American shade tree if the site is large enough.