Advice on Bradford Pear in TX - 3 strikes your out?

[Andy Webb]

We have a Bradford Pear at one property - our first, very near the street and the driveway of our rental.  These trees grow fast and seem to be pretty whimpy in strong wind:  shortly before buying the house the tree lost a limb set and in our recent north texas storms we lost another (fell into the street blocking nearly the full road).  The tree is not in striking distance of our house fortunately.

It is a nice looking tree and I hate to get rid of it.  The limbs have grown pretty broad and tall.  It seems healthy otherwise.

Anyone dealt with these trees?  Should we try to prune it back severely to keep it in place?  Or just have the whole thing removed?

Thanks!

Andy

[Thomas B.]

I would get rid of it, Bradford Pears are a favorite of builders and developers in our area because they are cheep, fast growing, and look good. However, the branch structure is very week and they do not hold up well in the long run as you are seeing. They also have a tenancy to send shoots up from the roots that burn up before they can mature leaving lots of 2-3" tall spike like sticks in the ground. I have had to remove 4 over the last few years and it is easier (less expensive) to do it sooner than later.