Callery Pear vs Bradford Pear: Is There a Difference?

Written by August Croft
Updated: September 20, 2022
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Often named interchangeably for one another, are there any true differences between a Callery pear vs Bradford pear tree? These two plants were once prized for their ornamental flare and beautiful flowers come springtime, but there are reasons why the Callery pear tree and the Bradford pear tree are not utilized in landscaping any longer. Why might this be, and are there ways to tell these two types of trees apart? 

In this article, we will compare and contrast the Callery pear tree with the Bradford pear tree so that you can fully understand the differences between them. We will go over how they relate to one another as well as what they look like when fully grown. Plus, we will go over what these trees were once used for as well as what they are used for today. Let’s get started now! 

Comparing Callery Pear vs Bradford Pear

Callery Pear vs Bradford Pear
The Bradford pear is the most common cultivar of the Callery pear species, leading to some confusion in their names.
Callery PearBradford Pear
Plant ClassificationPyrus calleryanaPyrus calleryana ‘Bradford’
DescriptionReaches up to 60 feet tall, with various shapes to their branches depending on the cultivar. Leaves are heart-shaped and change colors depending on the season. Beautiful blooms accompany this tree, and small fruits are also present. Sharp thorns up to 3 inches long grow on new branchesReaches up to 40 feet tall and has distinct, upright branches. Leaves are heart-shaped and green in the spring and summer, turning deep red in the fall. Produces beautiful clusters of white blooms in the spring, with brown, small fruits to follow
UsesViewed primarily as an invasive pear tree species, given its ease of growing and large thorns that it produces. Spreads easily and takes over locations, and isn’t easy to removeOriginally bred to be thornless and unable to produce seeds and spread, but typically breeds with other callery pear varieties and spreads easily. If planted with care, it can be a great ornamental tree for the average backyard
Origin and Growing PreferencesNative to China; hardy and flexible in terms of where it is planted, and spreads easilyNative to China; fairly hardy and flexible in terms of where it grows, thriving in full sun
Blooming Time of YearBlooms in February-May, depending on the variety One of the first trees to bloom in early spring!

Key Differences Between Callery Pear vs Bradford Pear

Callery Pear vs Bradford Pear

The Bradford pear was bred with some unique characteristics that are separate from most Callery pear varieties.

©iStock.com/Martina Birnbaum

There are a few key differences between the Callery pear tree and the Bradford pear tree. For example, the Bradford pear is the most common cultivar of the Callery pear species, leading to some confusion in their names. However, Callery pear trees produce thorns on new branches, while the Bradford pear variety was originally bred to produce no thorns. In addition, some Callery pear varieties grow much taller than the Bradford pear variety. 

Let’s go over all of these differences and a few others in detail now. 

Callery Pear vs Bradford Pear: Classification

One of the reasons why Callery pears and Bradford pears are confused for one another is because they are technically closely related. For example, all Bradford pears are Callery pears, but not all Callery pears are Bradford pears. The Bradford pear variety was created to produce no seeds or thorns, making it safer to grow and less invasive than other Callery pear cultivars. While this plan didn’t pan out in the end, it is a key difference between them!

Callery Pear vs Bradford Pear: Description

Callery Pear vs Bradford Pear

Callery pear branches tend to have sharp thorns on them, while Bradford pears were specifically bred to not feature this.

©iStock.com/Sea Cheatham

You likely can’t tell the difference between a Callery pear and a Bradford pear upon first glance, given the fact that these trees are essentially the same. However, the Bradford pear was bred with some unique characteristics that are separate from most Callery pear varieties. For example, some Callery pear species grow taller than the average Bradford pear, sometimes over 20 feet taller

Both of these trees produce beautiful white flowers that often bloom before any other trees in the area, though Bradford pear flowers have a distinct smell that not all Callery pear flowers share. In addition to this, Callery pear branches tend to have sharp thorns on them, while Bradford pears were specifically bred to not feature this. Finally, Bradford pears cannot produce seeds on their own, but other Callery pear varieties can. 

Callery Pear vs Bradford Pear: Uses

Callery Pear vs Bradford Pear

Bradford pears cannot produce seeds on their own, but other Callery pear varieties can. 

©iStock.com/Sherry Smith

Callery pears and Bradford pears were originally used for the same purpose. Planted en masse after being introduced to the United States, Callery pears and Bradford pears became one of the most popular ornamental trees of their time. However, landscape experts quickly realized that these trees are highly invasive and spread easily, as well as being difficult to remove due to their sharp thorns. That’s why both Callery pears and Bradford pears are viewed as invasive, and most people are discouraged from planting them today. 

Callery Pear vs Bradford Pear: Origin and How to Grow

Callery pears and Bradford pears both originated in China, transported to the United States for use as ornamental plants. The Bradford pear originated because it is one of the most resistant types of Callery pear when it comes to fighting off fire blight, a type of disease in trees. While these trees are not recommended for planting, they grow easily in a variety of soil types and locations, thriving in full sunlight. 

Callery Pear vs Bradford Pear: Blooming Time of Year

Callery Pear vs Bradford Pear

The Bradford pear originated because it is one of the most resistant types of Callery pear when it comes to fighting off fire blight, a type of disease in trees.

©iStock.com/tornado98

One of the main reasons that Callery pear varieties, including Bradford pears, were introduced in the first place is because of their beautiful blooms. Both Bradford pears and Callery pears produce clusters of white blossoms, often before any other flowering tree. These flowers appear in early spring, typically in February, with the Bradford pear tree blooming faster than other Callery pear varieties.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Sea Cheatham


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About the Author

August Croft is a writer at A-Z Animals where their primary focus is on astrology, symbolism, and gardening. August has been writing a variety of content for over 4 years and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Theater from Southern Oregon University, which they earned in 2014. They are currently working toward a professional certification in astrology and chart reading. A resident of Oregon, August enjoys playwriting, craft beer, and cooking seasonal recipes for their friends and high school sweetheart.

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Sources
  1. Resistance to Fire Blight among Flowering Pears and Quince, Available here: https://journals.ashs.org/hortsci/view/journals/hortsci/40/2/article-p413.xml
  2. The Beginning of a New Invasive Plant: A History of the Ornamental Callery Pear in the United States , Available here: https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/article-abstract/57/11/956/234351