Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Rosales>Rosaceae>Pyrus calleryana Decaisne

Callery/Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana)

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.

Callery/Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana)

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.

Callery/Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana)

Durham, NC 3/10/06.

Callery/Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana)

It is also one of the first trees to leaf out.

Durham, NC 3/10/06.

Callery/Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana) leaves

Mature leaves are glossy above.

Chatham Co., NC 9/16/06.

Callery/Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana) thorn

Branches often are tipped with a thorn.

Chatham Co., NC 9/16/06.

Callery/Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana) fruit

The round pears are about 1 cm in diameter and flecked with white spots.

Chatham Co., NC 9/16/06.

Callery/Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana) bark

The bark of young trees is smooth, with horizontally-elongated lenticels.

Durham, NC 3/10/06.

Callery/Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana) bark

Bark of a slightly older tree.

Chatham Co., NC 9/16/06.

More information:
Invasive.org
NC State
On the Spread and Current Distribution of Pyrus calleryana in the United States

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