An ornamental pear tree is an attractive and low maintenance tree, making it perfect for your front yard. This fast-growing deciduous tree has many attractive features; its characteristic oval shape, thick foliage and changing colours are eye pleasing, and it can be easily pruned or shaped as required.
The biggest attraction to an ornamental pear though is there are no seeds, fruits, or dropping to make a mess in your garden or attract noisy birds. Here we have everything you need to know about ornamental trees and why you should consider them for your garden
Ornamental pear trees
The ornamental pear tree is famous for its attractive flowers during spring and appealing leaf color in cold weather. The pear tree blossoms do not produce fruit which makes it easier to care for them.
It is a deciduous tree with ovate leaves. Besides that, its trunk has a light green to dark brown bark. Whether it is spring or autumn ornamental trees will look very pleasing because its leaves change colors.
It blooms in the spring with dark green glossy foliage, providing lush greenery and shade in summer, morphing into shades or orange and maroon in autumn and dropping its leaves in winter, allowing the winter sunlight to pass through.
It does not create a huge amount of mess. Thus, it is an ideal option to make your front yard look attractive. However, remember that pear tree diseases should be treated on time if you want to maintain the beauty of plants.
Ornamental pear versus fruiting varieties
A common question people have is why to plant ornamental pear trees instead of fruiting trees. Here are a few reasons why growing Ornamental pear trees could be a great choice for you.
- No mess of rotten fruits, leaves, or seeds.
- Will not attract birds or possums which can be noisy, make a mess and damage gardens.
- Help prevent storm runoff and maintain soil integrity
- Makes your garden look attractive and appealing.
- Attract beneficial organisms nd insects that can support the growth of other fruit-producing plants and trees.
- Sustainable option because they require less water than fruiting pears
- The pear tree blossoms are fragrant and attractive
- Provide lush shade in summer, and winter you can enjoy the sun.
- It is easy to care for and manage pear tree diseases.
- Fast growing and easy to prune
- Provides a good windbreak to protect more delicate plants or veggie gardens.
Growing conditions and climates best suited to Ornamental pear tree
Climate considerations for planting and growing Ornamental pear trees include
- Plant ornamental trees in early springs or late winter.
- Ornamental pear trees prefer Full sun,
- Plant ornamental pears in well-drained soil
- Give ornamental pear trees space – they like proper air circulation.
- Select grafted rootstocks of blight-resistant types of pear tree
How big do Ornamental pear trees grow?
Various varieties of ornamental trees also vary in height. The tallest ornamental pear tree is Redspire can reach an average height of above 50 feet. However, a more compact choice is the Fauer which is much smaller and can only reach around 20 feet. There are a range of intermediate varieties like Capital which can reach a height of around 35 feet. Finally, you can choose modern dwarf varieties which typically will not exceed 10 feet.
The standard lateral spacing you need to grow ornamental pear trees is at least 20 to 25 feet. It is essential to give proper space to the roots of the tree. Smaller dwarf varieties can be planted closer, as a dwarf tree will only take 10 to 15 feet of space.
Caring for ornamental pear trees
Fungal and bacterial diseases can attack ornamental trees. They can cause various issues like deformation of blossoms and leaves or die-back branches. Moreover, some diseases can cause the death of trees.
Thus, a good combination of chemical treatments and cultural practices is essential to control and prevent your ornamental trees from diseases. Here we have some common diseases and how you can treat them.
Fire Blight
It is the most common bacterial disease of an ornamental pear tree. Fire blight occurs during wet days of the spring season in humid conditions and causes serious problems. You may notice signs of this disease after the tree begins flowering.
By consuming bacteria from cankers of infected plants, insects spread the disease. However, bacteria causes this disease to become less active during dry and cold weather.
Leaves and flowers will wilt after turning brown but remain on the tree. As the disease progresses branches will turn brown.
Treatment
- Prune at least 8 – 10 inches below the infected areas of the tree in humid weather.
- Have sharp and clean pruning tools. Besides that, to prevent spreading disease disinfect your tools between cuts.
- After you are done sterilizing the tools with a solution of bleach and water or rubbing alcohol.
- Do not fertilize ornamental pear tree blossoms during spring. Because new growth is more susceptible to disease.
- In winter apply copper fungicides and streptomycin in the growing season.
Entomosporium leaf spot
It is among the famous fungal pear tree diseases. You will notice the appearance of small red spots on old leaves. With time, these spots will convert into clusters of white spores. Clusters will appear in the center of the spot. Thus, the leaves of the pear tree will prematurely drop.
Treatment
- Prune and remove diseased foliage from the garden.
- To avoid spreading disease dispose of any fallen foliage and disinfect your tools.
- Avoid planting ground cover and space pear trees properly.
- Apply chlorothalonil or copper-containing fungicides if necessary.
- Avoid overhead watering because it can increase the spread of disease.
Bacterial canker and blights
This disease causes the formation of black lesions on flowers and stems. Besides that, the canker may also appear on branches. It can cause the death of a tree. It usually occurs during wet and humid conditions in spring.
Treatment
- Chemical treatment is not effective for bacterial blight.
- Prune and disease affected branches.
- Avoid wetting leaves by watering soil near the base of trees.
- If you notice, the canker removes the tree because it will eventually die.
Cotton root rot
It is a soil-borne fungal disease. The entire taproot of an ornamental pear tree will rot in this disease. Moreover, leaves will wilt and trees may die.
Treatment
- Chemical treatment is not effective.
- For diagnosis, you may have to take a section of root to the extension office.
- Remove infected trees and plants.
- Only plant resistant trees.
When to replace an ornamental pear tree?
There are various reasons for the replacement ornamental pear tree. The most common reason for replacing trees is pear tree diseases. Moreover, the average age of ornamental trees is 25 years. It means you have to replace the trees. As well as, some ornamental trees even live half that age.
Conclusion
If you have a small garden or are unable to plant fruiting trees you can start with an ornamental pear tree. This is a low maintenance choice which will make your garden look attractive with pear tree blossoms each spring. Remember to take proper care of your trees to avoid any kind of pear tree diseases. Everyone will appreciate your ornamental trees, especially in front yards because it will increase the curb appeal of your home.
Finally though – I don’t plant ornamental trees. I really value the fruit that trees produce, and value the permaculture principle of producing a yield. So to me, ornamental trees go against my personal permaculture values. They do however, make great choices for rental properties or low maintenance gardens.
