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Why Your 'Bradford' Pear Has Thorns and Berries: Seedling Genetics

Reversion to Wild Callery Pear

'Bradford' pear is a selection of Pyrus calleryana (which has thorns). 'Bradford' usually has berries. Your tree is likely a seedling from a 'Bradford' fruit planted by a squirrel—genetics reverted to wild parent: thorns, berries, unattractive shape. Remove it or enjoy it.

About Gardening: Fall Webworms on Bradford Pear: Identification and Safe Control; Bradford Pear Tree Near House: Root Risk and Lifespan; Bradford Pear Fruit: Inedible, Not a Wildlife Magnet; Bradford Pear Suckers Persist After Removal: Switch Species; Patience Is Key for Non-Bearing Pear Trees; Callery Pear Fruit: What Those Tiny Pears Really Are; Topping Bradford Pears: A Desperation Measure with Risks; Bradford Pear Stump Sprouts: Rootstock Takeover; When to Harvest Pears: The Firmness Test; Fire Blight on Bradford Pear: Prune Out, Disinfect Tools

Garden Articles

Bradford Pear and Crape Myrtle Sudden Leaf Drop: Mechanical Injury Check

Thinning Pear Fruit: Preventing Limb Breakage and Improving Harvest Quality

Split Bradford Pear: Why You Should Replace, Not Repair

Grafting Cherry onto Bradford Pear: Impossible

Controlling Bradford Pear Suckers and Wild Violets

Bradford Pear Self-Destructs After Limb Removal: Replace with Yoshino Cherry

Callery Pear: The Thorny Parent of 'Bradford' Pear

Plants

Bradford Pear Red Leaves Falling: Fire Blight or Genetic Decline?

Bradford Pear Fire Blight: Multi-Year Battle Plan

Sudden Heavy Fruiting on Bradford Pears: Genetics and Storm Risk

Nashi Pear Core Rot: Insect Damage, Not Disease

Fire Blight on Bradford Pear: Pruning, Disinfection, and Dormant Sprays

Bradford vs. Bartlett Pear: Fruit Rot Differences

Bradford Pear Trunk Fungus After Heavy Rain: Likely Saprophytic