Common Problems Of The Bradford Pear Tree
Bradford pear trees are great additions to your landscape design if you want elegant floral blooms through the spring season and rich autumn colors through the fall. Of course, proper care is important if you want this tree to remain healthy and appealing for many years to come. Even though it is such a popular tree, most people do not understand if and when their Bradford pear is in distress. Here are a few common problems that may affect your tree.
Splitting/Breaking
Damage that affects the trunks and branches is one of the most common problems that Bradford pear owners face. This damage occurs because the tree's structural integrity is not strong to start with. In addition, if the tree experiences stress from a storm, fungal disease, or pests, damage to the trunk and branches is even more likely to occur.
Initial signs of this damage may include splitting of multiple branches, causing them to break off and fall. In more severe stages of this damage, the trunk of your Bradford pear may start to split, affecting the tree's ability to stand upright. This increases the risk of the tree falling. Therefore, if the tree is planted near your home or driveway, a fallen tree can cause serious damage to your home or vehicles.
To prevent further damage, prune off any branches or limbs that are starting to split and break off. Unfortunately, if your tree trunk has already started to split, removing the tree from your yard may be best for avoiding damage.
Leaf Spot
If your Bradford pear and the soil around it remains too moist, fungus may begin to develop and spread through the tree. Caused by fungus, leaf spot is another common problem that affects these trees.
Signs of leaf spot include spots that are dark red or brown in color. In many cases, the spots will have yellow surrounding the spots. The leaves will fall off the tree early, affecting the entire look of your tree. However, the fungal disease may also spread through the branches, trunks, and roots if left untreated.
Your best option for treating a tree with leaf spot is to remove any branches with heavily infected leaves. Then, apply a fungicide to the entire tree to stop the fungal growth.
Caring for a Bradford pear tree does not have to be overwhelming. If you are noticing the signs of these common problems, contact a tree service professional today.