Bradford pears were planted all over Springfield for decades, and their deep red and purple fall leaves make them easy to spot right now. Unfortunately, they also have a well-earned reputation for splitting apart in wind and ice storms.
The problem is structural. Bradford and other Callery pears grow several upright limbs from nearly the same point on the trunk, with narrow, weak angles between them. As the tree matures and the canopy gets heavier, those unions are prone to cracking, and one storm can split a mature tree down the middle. Callery pears have also spread aggressively into fields and roadsides across Missouri, crowding out native trees.
If you have a mature Bradford pear near your house, driveway, or play area, it's worth having it looked at before winter weather arrives. Oasis Tree Care's certified arborists can help you weigh whether structural trimming makes sense or whether removal is the safer long-term choice for your property.
Do you have a Bradford pear in your yard, and has it ever lost a big limb in a storm?
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Authentic photo of a Bradford pear in fall color on a Springfield-area property, or a real job photo of a split or storm-damaged Callery pear showing the narrow, crowded limb unions. Do not caption or tag any individual by name. Real job photos strongly preferred over stock imagery.
Canva text suggestion: "Bradford Pears Split Under Pressure" or "Is a Callery Pear Growing in Your Yard?"