Callery Pear

Callery pear, Pyrus calleryana

Callery pear has been imported into the United States from China multiple times since 1909, first to develop fire blight resistance in the common pear, and then as an ornamental. Many different cultivars of Callery pear have since been bred including the common Bradford pear. They are very adaptable and grow fast with the Bradford variety able to reach heights up to 15 m (50 ft). Once established, Callery pear forms dense thickets. They easily push out natives by shading them and taking their water, soil, and space.

Bark of Callery Pear

The Callery pear, with Bradford as one of the most common, is often sought for its fragrant lacking, but beautiful white blooms in spring as well as its colorful fall foliage; however, it is consider invasive in many parts of the country. It is also an incredible short-lived tree that is very susceptible to limb breakage by either ice or strong wind. For that reason, it is discouraged as a plant in the Midwest not only due to its invasive potential, but also it's susceptibility.