Repairing a Broken Limb on a Bradford Pear

Immediate Action

A large limb (¼ of the canopy) has snapped but remains attached by bark. This is a common failure in Bradford pears due to their tight, weak branch angles.

Proper Pruning

1. Cut the limb just outside the branch collar (the swollen area where the limb meets the trunk). Do not cut flush; the collar contains cells that seal the wound.
2. Remove any loose, hanging bark with a sharp knife to create a clean edge.
3. Do not apply wound paint, tar, or sealant. Research shows these trap moisture and hinder natural compartmentalization.

Long-Term Outlook

The wound will callus over on its own. The tree will not die from this injury. However, Bradford pears are structurally prone to further breakage as they age. Consider proactive crown reduction by a certified arborist to reduce wind load, or plan for eventual replacement with a stronger-wooded species like Prunus 'Okame' or Pyrus calleryana 'Aristocrat' (which has wider branch angles).