September is cruising right along and fall landscaping is on our minds (well ok, second only to football season). Thus. another type of tree that comes to mind and beautifies our landscapes is the flowering pear.

The Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana) is a species of pear native to China and Vietnam and is a member of the rose family (Rosaceae). They are deciduous flowering trees growing to 30 to 50 feet tall and 20 to 30 feet wide, often with a conic to rounded crown. The white, five-petaled flowers are about 0.8 to 1.2 inches in diameter and are produced abundantly in early spring (before the leaves develop fully) and give off a frisky odor which may be offensive to the multitudes.

The fruits of the Callery pear are small and hard until softened by frost, after which they are harvested by birds which disperse the seeds in their droppings across the land. In summer, the foliage is dark green and very smooth, and in autumn the leaves commonly turn brilliant colors, ranging from yellow and orange to more commonly red, pink, purple, and bronze. Sometimes, several of these fall colors may be present on an individual leaf, but since the color often develops very late in fall, many of the leaves may be killed by a hard frost before full color can be achieved.

Callery pears are highly resistant to stress and blight and are often severely damaged and killed by storms or high winds. Cultivars of Callery pear are widely planted as ornamental trees throughout much of North America in urban and suburban communities. They are tolerant of a variety of soil types, drainage levels, and soil acidity. The symmetry of many of the cultivars favors their use in formal and semi-formal settings, such as city streets, shopping centers, office parks, and industrial parks. Its dense clusters of white blossoms are dominant in early spring along the boulevards and streets. Callery pears are among the more reliable fall-coloring trees in the south.

Some cultivars, including Bradford, are highly susceptible to storm damage. The Bradford pear tree was introduced into the United States in 1963 by the USDA and is native to Korea and China. It is a fast growing tree with showy, spring flowers (two weeks) before any leaves are formed. The flowers do offer an undesirable, dead-fish smell in the surrounding air. The young trees hold their pyramidal shape fairly well, thus complimenting the front view of homes. Many people admire the massive spring blossoms and rich autumn color of these popular trees.

The neat, dense upward growth of the Bradford (which made it famous and most desirable in cramped urban spaces) also results in the production of several narrow, weak forks and branches. These weak crotches make the Bradford pear very susceptible to damage from the strong winds and severe thunderstorms. Because of this structural weakness and its relatively short life span (usually less than 25 years), it can have a deadly, mid-life crisis. It’s rare to see an old planting of Bradford pears that doesn’t have at least one tree missing or a substantial chunk of its limbs and trunk gone. The angle of the Bradford’s branches is generally too narrow, and as the tightly-crowded branches grow in girth, the tree begins to push itself apart. Selective pruning from youth through adult can help correct this situation. However, at the first strong wind, the tree usually self-destructs.

Despite their standing as one of the most popular landscape trees in the southeast, Bradford pears fall short of all expectations. Many designers have discouraged further planting of Bradford in favor of other stronger Callery pear cultivars such as Cleveland Select, as well as increased use of other locally native ornamental tree species. The Cleveland Select grows 35 feet tall and 16 feet wide and is more pyramidal than Bradford and offers good fire blight disease resistance. Cleveland Select is a great choice!

Several cultivars of Callery pear are available including Aristocrat, Autumn Blaze, Bradford (the commonly planted Bradford pear), Capital, Cleveland Select (Chanticleer), New Bradford, Redspire, and Whitehouse. The Aristocrat has a stronger branching structure than Bradford but is more susceptible to fire blight disease. The Redspire has pyramidal form with more yellow than red fall color and is very susceptible to fire blight disease.

Also, there are a few other spring-flowering trees that you might consider as a replacement. Flowering crab apples are spectacular in bloom (a few weeks later than the Bradford pear) and develop colorful fruit which have ornamental value and provide food for wildlife during the winter.

Also, the shadberry (Juneberry or serviceberry) has graceful flowers with lacy beauty and tasty fruit attractive to both birds and people. The silvery leaves are attractive and provide red color in the fall. These plants are in the genus, Amelanchier, and a number of cultivars have been developed (coordinate the size of the adult tree or shrub with your space).

Also, Chinese elms (not Siberian elms) are an excellent choice and, to be certain that you are getting the right elm, look for the small, reddish-brown, pointed leaf buds and cinnamon patches of bark of the Chinese elm. Siberian elms have round, black leaf buds and are less desirable. In addition, the Chinese pistache, Japanese zelkova, Japanese cherry, and red maple are great substitutes.

As you continue your gardening efforts, research the appropriate sources to determine whether you should select a flowering pear (with knowledge of their liabilities) or an alternative that is longer-lived to use in your landscape and garden.

Always think in terms of native and sustainable plants in the landscape. Keep your hanging baskets and potted plants refreshed with water and food. Select your mums for fall gardens. Remember to feed and water the songbirds. Give your pets the care they need. Do not leave them unattended in a hot car or tied to a tree all day long. Also, be on lookout for children playing and bicyclists riding along the streets and roadways throughout our communities. Don’t drive distracted or impaired, and don’t text while driving. Help the homeless and those in need every chance you get. Let’s keep everyone blessed and safe.

Seagle is a sustainability associate, golf environment organization (Scotland), agronomist and horticulturalist, CSI: Seagle (Consulting Services International), professor emeritus and honorary alumnus, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, and associate editor of The Golf Course, International Journal of Golf Science. Reach him at csi_seagle@yahoo.com.