What’s that smell? It’s a Bradford Pear tree. And there are more reasons to hate it.
Their stench has been compared to rotting fish, urine and other pungent bodily fluids.
And in North Carolina, that smell — emitting from the delicate, white or pink flowers of the Bradford Pear tree — is one of the first signs that spring is here.
How can something so pretty smell so bad? And is the foul odor the only problem with the Bradford Pear?
The N&O chatted with two experts — Barbara Fair, an associate professor and landscape extension specialist at NC State and board member for the NC Urban Forest Council; and Kelly Oten, extension specialist in NC State’s Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources — to learn more about Bradford Pear trees in North Carolina.
Bradford isn’t the only problematic pear tree
The Bradford Pear tree, which blooms in early spring (typically in the first weeks of March), can draw crowds of admirers— but those crowds learn quickly not to get too close.
For the record, Fair thinks Bradford Pear trees smell like “baby poop,” but says it’s not the worst plant she’s ever smelled.
Stench aside, there’s a much larger problem: These trees are invasive, and they out-compete other plants for space and resources, often shading out other plants in open areas.
“To me, the smell is honestly the most insignificant part of the problem,” Fair said.
Bradford Pears are intentionally planted in neat rows to line driveways or add a pretty addition to an otherwise open space, Oten said.
And Bradford isn’t the only problematic pear tree in the area.
The white, flowering trees you see lining I-40 are Callery Pears (a cultivar, or different kind of tree). These are also invasive trees that grow from dispersed seeds.
Both Bradford and Callery Pear trees grow to roughly 30 feet tall, and they got their names because the small, round fruit they produce has the same color as a pear, Fair said.
Birds and small animals enjoy snacking on these fruits, then defecating and dispersing seeds around the state.
Callery Pear trees have all the bad qualities of Bradford Pears, plus thorns that can be up to two inches long, Oten said.
Why you shouldn’t plant a Bradford Pear
Here’s what make Bradford Pear trees difficult:
They’re smelly: “Flies are their pollinators, and flies like going to places that smell bad,” Fair said. Bees also pollinate the trees, but flies are primary pollinators, Oten said.
They have weak branches: A mild wind storm will give you a mess to clean up in your yard. And if half the tree falls, as can often happen, it can cause extensive damage to property — such as falling on a vehicle or structure, Fair said. “To me, this is one of the primary reasons not to plant it.”
They’re invasive: “These trees really dominate the ecosystems they invade,” Oten said.
“Ecologically, these trees are a threat,” Oten said. “They’re replacing our native species, they become widespread, they can take over an area, so native trees that are supposed to grow cannot. Then native insects can’t feed, and birds don’t have their food source.”
But they’re popular with some landscapers because they’re incredibly urban tolerant, Fair said: “They are very tough trees that can be planted in sidewalk cutouts or in very narrow tree lawns (area between curb and sidewalk) and not be bothered by the poor soil, excessive heat or dry conditions often found in such sites.”
Consider replacing your Bradford Pear tree
A North Carolina collaborative will soon debut the Bradford Pear Bounty program, which will encourage North Carolinians to remove their Bradford Pears.
As part of the program, when you get rid of a Bradford Pear, you will get a free native tree to plant in its place (up to five trees).
The first event will be held in Greensboro on April 23. For more information, visit treebountync.com. The initiative is sponsored by NC State Extension, NC Urban Forest Council, NC Forest Service and NC Wildlife Federation.
South Carolina already has a Bradford Pear replacement program, and they’ve gone so far as banning the trees there. USA Today reported that beginning Oct. 1, 2024, it will be illegal to sell the plant in South Carolina.
But you shouldn’t wait until the replacement program is announced to get rid of these trees, Fair said.
Here are some trees that can replace Bradford pears in our region:
An American or Chinese fringe. The American fringe tree is a native tree (which tends to be more of a shrub if you do not prune it, Fair said), while the Chinese fringe tree is non-native.
Redbud tree
Kousa dogwood
Crabapple
Painted buckeye
Serviceberry
Alternate-leaf dogwood
Green hawthorn
Golden raintree
Saucer magnolia
Various cherry trees (“But choose wisely, as some are not very tolerant to the heat,” Fair said.)
Japanese stewartia
Japanese snowbell
This story was originally published March 14, 2022 at 8:36 AM with the headline "What’s that smell? It’s a Bradford Pear tree. And there are more reasons to hate it.."
