Bradford pears have a reputation for splitting apart, and the structure of the tree itself is usually why, not bad luck or an especially bad storm. Multiple stems tend to grow from nearly the same point on the trunk, with bark pinched between them instead of growing together solidly.
That weak connection, called included bark, can hold for years before finally giving way under wind or the tree's own weight, often during a routine summer storm rather than anything severe.
Tree Worx inspects Bradford pears and other split-prone ornamentals across Chattanooga for this structural pattern. Corrective pruning while the tree is younger can reduce the risk considerably compared to waiting until the tree is mature, when removing a stem can leave a large, hard-to-heal wound.
If you have a Bradford pear on your property, it's worth having its branch structure checked before storm season arrives in full.
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A close-up photo of a Bradford pear's multi-stem trunk structure, or a real job photo of a split Bradford pear from a past job.
Canva text suggestion: "Why Bradford Pears Split" or "Weak Union, Big Risk"