Bradford pears look great for their first 15 years or so, then they have a habit of splitting right down the middle.
The problem is built into their structure. Bradford pears grow many upright limbs from nearly the same point on the trunk, with bark trapped inside tight unions. As the tree matures and gets heavier, those unions can't hold, especially under wind or ice. By the time a crack is visible, the tree is often past saving.
They've also become one of the most invasive trees in South Carolina, spreading into fields and roadsides around Greenville and Simpsonville, where their thorny wild offspring crowd out native species.
If you have a Bradford pear near your home or driveway, an ISA Certified Arborist can assess whether cabling buys time or removal makes more sense. Many homeowners replace them with native alternatives like redbud, serviceberry, or blackgum.
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An authentic photo of a split Bradford pear from a local job, or a close-up of the tight, crowded branch unions typical of the species. A replacement native tree planted after removal is a nice follow-up image. Real job photos preferred over stock.
Canva text suggestion: "Why Bradford Pears Split Apart" or "Swap Bradford Pears for Native Trees"