Topping Bradford Pears: A Desperation Measure with Risks

Certified Arborist Chris Hastings warns that topping Bradford pears is a desperate practice, not proper horticulture. Pollarding (repeated severe pruning) reduces limb failure risk but suppresses blooms for 1–2 years and may increase susceptibility to fire blight. A commercial property with 6-foot topped trunks shows the "bobbed head" result. Topping works on one level but is not recommended.

these Bradford pear limbs were shortened 10 years ago

ten years ago