Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Pyrus calleryana

Callery flowering pear

RosaceaeChina, Korea, Japan, Vietnam

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height30-50 feet (9-15 m)
Width20-35 feet (6-10.7 m)
Maturity10 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 9
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Deer Resistant
Drought Tolerant
Maintenancemoderate

Overview

Pyrus calleryana is a medium-sized deciduous tree reaching 30-50 feet (9-15 m) tall with a spread of 20-35 feet (6-10.7 m), developing a pyramidal to broadly oval crown. Bark is smooth, gray-brown on young trees, developing shallow furrows and scaly plates with age. Leaves are alternate, simple, broadly ovate to round, 1.5-3 inches (4-8 cm) long, with scalloped to finely crenate margins, glossy dark green above with a leathery texture. Fall color is notable, ranging from crimson and scarlet to deep purple, orange, and bronze, often with multiple colors on the same tree. Flowers are white, five-petaled, 0.75-1 inch (2-2.5 cm) across, borne in profuse corymb-like clusters before or concurrent with leaf emergence in March to April. Flowers have a strong, unpleasant odor variously described as fishy or reminiscent of rotting flesh, containing trimethylamine. Fruit is a small, hard, round pome, 0.3-0.5 inches (8-13 mm) in diameter, brownish, persisting into winter. Individual cultivars are self-incompatible, but cross-pollination between different cultivars produces viable seed. Bird-dispersed seeds germinate readily, and the species is classified as invasive in 28 U.S. states, particularly in the eastern and southeastern regions, where it forms dense thickets in fields, roadsides, and forest margins. Several states have banned the sale of Pyrus calleryana. Growth rate is fast at 12-24 inches (30-61 cm) per year. Earlier cultivars such as 'Bradford' develop structurally weak, narrow crotch angles that split in storms at 15-25 years. Newer cultivars ('Chanticleer', 'Cleveland Select', 'Aristocrat') have improved branch structure. Fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) is the primary disease concern.

Native Range

Native to China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam, occurring in open woodlands, forest margins, and disturbed areas at elevations from sea level to 6,500 feet (2,000 m). Introduced to the United States in 1908 by USDA plant explorer Frank Meyer primarily for fire blight resistance breeding. Classified as invasive in 28 U.S. states.

Suggested Uses

Historically planted extensively as a street tree and urban tree due to fast growth, pollution tolerance, and fall color. Check local regulations before planting, as the species is banned in several states due to invasive spread. Where permitted, select improved cultivars with stronger branch structure ('Chanticleer', 'Cleveland Select', 'Aristocrat'). Avoid planting multiple cultivars in proximity to prevent cross-pollination and seed production. Native alternatives for similar urban tree functions include Amelanchier species, Nyssa sylvatica, and Cercis canadensis.

How to Identify

Identified by glossy, broadly ovate to round leaves 1.5-3 inches (4-8 cm) long with scalloped margins, white flower clusters in early spring with a strong unpleasant odor, small hard brown pome fruit persisting into winter, and pyramidal to oval crown form. Distinguished from Pyrus communis (common pear) by smaller, rounder leaves, smaller inedible fruit, and typically pyramidal form. Thorns may be present on seedlings and rootstock suckers but are absent on most cultivars.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height30' - 50'
Width/Spread20' - 35'

Reaches mature size in approximately 10 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

crimson
scarlet
purple
orange

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks
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Spring
White flowers in profuse clusters appear in March to April before or concurrent with leaf emergence, lasting 1-2 weeks. In the Pacific Northwest, bloom typically occurs in mid-March. Flowers have a strong unpleasant odor. Cross-pollination between different cultivars planted in proximity produces viable seed that leads to invasive spread.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Glossy dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 8.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysandsiltchalk
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water regularly during the first growing season. Established trees are highly drought-tolerant and require minimal supplemental care. Plant in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct light. Tolerates a wide range of soil types, pH levels, compacted soils, pollution, and poor drainage. Check local and state regulations before planting — banned in several states due to invasive status. Fire blight causes branch dieback with characteristic shepherd's-crook tip wilting; prune infected branches 12 inches (30 cm) below visible infection during dry weather, disinfecting tools between cuts. Avoid planting multiple cultivars in proximity, as cross-pollination produces viable seed that birds disperse into natural areas. 'Bradford' and similar early cultivars develop structurally weak branch angles; select improved cultivars with better structure if planting is permitted in the region.

Pruning

Prune in late winter (January through February) while dormant. Correct narrow branch angles in young trees by removing codominant leaders and branches with included bark. 'Bradford' cultivars are particularly prone to storm splitting at 15-25 years due to multiple leaders with narrow crotch angles. Thin the canopy to reduce wind resistance. Remove fire blight-infected branches during dry weather, cutting 12 inches (30 cm) below visible infection. Disinfect tools between cuts.

Pruning Schedule

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winter

Maintenance Level

moderate

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic