Trees with white blooms all over the city. (Magnolia, Star: homes, neighborhood)

[StAndroid]

They are so beautiful, but they smell so awful.

[justusandthekids]

Originally Posted by apexgds

I heard a kid call them "popcorn trees" once, and it's stuck in my head.

So funny b/c when we first moved here our son was 3 and he called them "snow trees." Every year around this time that conversation pops into my head and makes me smile .

[Sal_M]

Originally Posted by justusandthekids

So funny b/c when we first moved here our son was 3 and he called them "snow trees." Every year around this time that conversation pops into my head and makes me smile .

Mine thought there was snow when the ground was covered in the fallen white flowers!

[Poggly Woggly]

Originally Posted by StAndroid

They are so beautiful, but they smell so awful.

Fishy smell to me...bad tuna or something.

[poppydog]

I'm not a fan of Bradford Pears. They do fall apart in storms and are a pretty short-lived tree. I prefer the natives, like dogwoods and redbuds. They'll be blooming in full force in just a few weeks. I like the cherries, too.

BTW, there is a popcorn tree, but it's a different tree altogether. PlantFiles Pictures: Chinese Tallow Tree, Candleberry Tree, Chicken Tree, Popcorn Tree, Florida Aspen (Triadica sebifera) 19 by Floridian

[RoaminRebel]

Birds like to eat the little ornamental berries on the Bradfords. It seems like they eat them first, followed by the holly berries, and lastly the pyracantha berries. Unfortanately when I planted mine 25 years ago or so, I didn't do my homework and know that they broke apart. I didn't get the chance to prune them and they have multiple leaders; about the worst configuration for preventing breakage. They haven't broken all these years later, but I wouldn't be surprised if they did soon.

[Poggly Woggly]

Originally Posted by RoaminRebel

Unfortanately when I planted mine 25 years ago or so, I didn't do my homework and know that they broke apart. I didn't get the chance to prune them and they have multiple leaders; about the worst configuration for preventing breakage. They haven't broken all these years later, but I wouldn't be surprised if they did soon.

Most people don't do their homework. I sure haven't time and time again, but when we realize that the tree or shrub is not going to work we take it out. That's gardening.

[rory breaker]

Yuck, BP's are the worst. They look pretty for a week a year, smell horrible, and snap easily during any major storm. Such a tease of a tree.

[adlnc07]

Originally Posted by CHTransplant

Bradford and other similar varieties such as Cleveland Select (which do not suffer from the same weaknesses as Bradfords).

I have a Cleveland Select in my front yard and it's doing great. Much more upright form than the Bradford. They bloom later as well.

Even with their problems, I love how the Bradford Pears look in spring.. and I've never noticed a bad smell!

[poppydog]

In the summer y'all might like the Crepe Myrtles.

Crepe Myrtle — Your Questions Answered | Southern Living Blog