| Abundantly planted, this medium-sized ornamental pear native to China and Taiwan produces masses of white flowers in early spring. The most frequently planted cultivar is 'Bradford' -- these are commonly called "Bradford Pears". Unfortunately Callery Pear is also showing itself to be very invasive -- it is spreading into natural habitats at an alarming rate. The photo at left is of one of dozens of escaped trees in the immediate area. (The other trees are mostly Loblolly Pine.) Durham, NC 3/10/06.
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| Callery Pear is one of the first showy trees to come into bloom, about the same time as Chickasaw Plum and a couple of weeks after Red Maple. Durham, NC 3/10/06.
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| Durham, NC 3/10/06.
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| It is also one of the first trees to leaf out. Durham, NC 3/10/06.
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| Mature leaves are glossy above. Chatham Co., NC 9/16/06.
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| Branches often are tipped with a thorn. Chatham Co., NC 9/16/06.
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| The round pears are about 1 cm in diameter and flecked with white spots. Chatham Co., NC 9/16/06.
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| The bark of young trees is smooth, with horizontally-elongated lenticels. Durham, NC 3/10/06.
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| Bark of a slightly older tree. Chatham Co., NC 9/16/06.
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