Question
I'm wanting to buy 25 NEW BRADFORD PEAR TREES  to plant on my farm in western KY. They are 15 ft. tall an 15 ft wide with a 42 inch root ball I know about the Bradford faults but im being told that the NEW BRADFORD is worry free. I'm 57 years old an wanting to see a tree grow to something before I die  an not want to have to replace it plus I like them an can get them for $87.00 a tree. Should I get them or what do you think I should get ?

Answer
Dear RON:
NO, absolutely not, there are no worry free Bradford pears. A "Bradford" pear is a Bradford pear. There are other pears for better trees, The Redspire, Aristocrat, Chanticleer and Cleveland Select are good quality, long-lived ornamental pears, worthy of purchasing.

See this link for some details on the "so called" improved Bradfords.
http://www.gdnctr.com/Bradford.htm

read also this article (middle)
http://www.emmitsburg.net/gardens/articles/frederick/2004/non-native_plants.htm

For the record, a Bradford pear is not the only tree out there that grows fast and even. If you are in Kentucky a great tree for unrivaled fall color and beauty without the fruiting mess or bad branching is a Sugar Maple. They get truly huge so space them 50 feet apart or more for best results. If you like the Bradford flowers then try a Washington Hawthorn or a Cherry instead.

Good Luck
PS, at 57 you got plenty of time if you start with trees of the size you have described. Quite a few trees will double in size in about three years to five years.

Sean J Murphy
www.seanjmurphy.com