Bradford pear removal in Huntsville
If your Bradford pear has dropped a big limb or split down the middle, it is usually time to take it down rather than try to save it.
Why Bradford pears break
A Bradford pear grows many upright branches from nearly the same spot on the trunk. Those tight, narrow joints are weak, and as the tree gets bigger and heavier they pull apart in wind, ice or a heavy load of spring blooms. Many start splitting by the time they are 15 to 20 years old.
Signs yours should come down
- A crack or split running down from where the main branches meet.
- A large limb has already broken off.
- Half the tree leans over the roof, driveway or a neighbor's yard.
- The canopy is wider than it is tall and the trunk is dividing into several big leaders.
Pruning rarely fixes this. Cutting the tree back hard leaves the same weak joints, and the regrowth is just as crowded.
They spread, too
Bradford pears are one variety of Callery pear. They cross-pollinate with other Callery pears, birds carry the fruit off, and the seedlings come up thick and thorny in fields and along roads, crowding out natives like redbud and dogwood. Removing one helps slow that.
Doing the removal right
- Deal with the stump. Callery pear roots can send up new shoots after the tree is cut. Grinding the stump, or having the crew treat it, keeps it from coming back.
- Plan the drop zone. Pears planted close to the house often have to come down in sections.
- Check for an exchange program. Some Alabama cities, Auburn among them, have run programs that give you a native tree for removing a Callery pear. Ask your city or county extension office whether one is running near you.
Good replacements
Redbud, dogwood and serviceberry all flower in spring like a pear does, without the breakage. For something evergreen, a compact southern magnolia such as Little Gem is a common swap.
What it costs
A typical Huntsville tree removal runs about $280 to $1,230, and most Bradford pears fall in the lower half of that range unless they are large or over the house. Stump grinding is usually extra. See the cost guide.
Common questions
Can a split Bradford pear be saved?
Rarely. Pruning or cabling leaves the same weak branch joints, so removal is usually recommended once a Bradford pear starts splitting.
How much does Bradford pear removal cost?
Most fall in the lower half of Huntsville's typical $280 to $1,230 range, unless the tree is very large or over the house. Stump grinding is usually extra.
What should I plant instead of a Bradford pear?
Redbud, dogwood and serviceberry all flower in spring without the breakage. Little Gem magnolia is a common evergreen choice.