Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
What Are Common Pests of Bradford Pear Trees?
What Are Common Pests of Bradford Pear Trees?. Bradford pear trees, Pyrus calleryana 'Bradford,' are hardy in the U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 5 through 9. They can grow to 40 feet tall and 45 feet wide. Bradford pear trees produce numerous white blooms in the spring, and the leaves turn brilliant shades of dark maroon, red or orange in the...
Bradford pear trees, Pyrus calleryana 'Bradford,' are hardy in the U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 5 through 9. They can grow to 40 feet tall and 45 feet wide. Bradford pear trees produce numerous white blooms in the spring, and the leaves turn brilliant shades of dark maroon, red or orange in the fall. The brownish-tan to reddish-brown-color fruits attract birds. Bradford pear trees thrive in well-drained soils. Healthy trees are less susceptible to insect infestations, according to the Clemson University Extension.
Aphids
Aphids, a soft-bodied insect, grow up to 1/8 inch long. Their color depends on the species, but most are black, green or yellow. Typically wingless, aphids can produce wings once a colony becomes overcrowded or the host plant is no longer suitable, according to the University of Florida IFAS Extension. The winged aphids move on to colonize another host plant. Aphid feeding causes distorted growth in Bradford pear trees. They leave behind a secretion called honeydew that develops into sooty mold and attracts other unwanted pests like ants.
Scales
Scale insects pose the largest threat to ornamental plants, the University of Florida IFAS Extension notes. Scales include mealybugs, armored scales and soft-bodied scales. Scales range in size from 1/8 to 1/2 inch and come in a variety of colors depending on the species. They suck fluid from all parts of the trees, including the leaves, roots and flowers. Plant foliage yellows, wilts, dies or shows little growth. The branches, or even the entire Bradford pear tree, can die if heavy infestations go untreated. Soft scales produce honeydew, which leads to sooty mold.
Shothole Borer Beetles
Shothole borer beetles eat the bark on Bradford pear trees and leave the trees susceptible to disease. The 1/8-inch, black-brown bodied pests have red legs. They create tunnels in the bark to protect them from winter conditions and house their eggs. Shothole borers take advantage of already unhealthy trees, according to the North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension.
Ash Whitefly
The 1/16-inch ash whiteflies initially infest Bradford pear trees as waxy white larvae and molt into adults that feed on the leaves of the tree. The adults have red eyes and yellow-white wings. Ash whiteflies cause the leaves of Bradford pear trees to wilt and drop. The whiteflies also create honeydew that results in sooty mold and attracts other pests to the trees.
