How to Grow Callery Pear - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2025

Callery pear is a plant that is native to china and taiwan. it is a deciduous tree that can grow to be 30 feet tall. the leaves are ovate shaped and the flowers are white. the fruit is a small, round, yellow-orange drupe.

How to Grow Callery Pear - Plant Care & Tips

Also called

  • Pyrus calleryana
  • Callery pear
  • Bradford pear
  • Glabrous pear
  • Ornamental pear

Good to Know

  • The Callery pear is a species of pear native to China.
  • The Callery pear was introduced to the United States in the early 1900s.
  • The Callery pear is a deciduous tree that typically grows to 30 feet tall.
  • The Callery pear has glossy green leaves and white flowers.
  • The Callery pear produces small, round, hard fruits that are not edible.
  • The Callery pear is considered an invasive species in many parts of the United States.
  • The Callery pear is often used as a street tree or in landscaping.
  • The Callery pear can be problematic because it produces a lot of fruit that attracts animals, leading to litter issues.
  • The Callery pear has been linked to allergies and respiratory problems in some people.
  • The Callery pear is being studied as a possible source of biofuel.

Related plant:
Pyrus Calleryana Chanticleer

How to Grow

  1. For callery pear, first step is to find a sunny spot in your yard.
  2. Then, till the soil and mix in some compost to help the tree roots get established.
  3. Next, dig a hole that is twice the width of the tree’s root ball and just as deep.
  4. Place the tree in the hole and backfill with soil, tamping it down as you go.
  5. Water the tree deeply immediately after planting.
  6. Add a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the tree, keeping it away from the trunk.
  7. Water the tree once a week during the first growing season.
  8. Fertilize the tree in early spring and again in mid-summer.
  9. Prune the tree in late winter or early spring to shape it as desired.
  10. Enjoy your beautiful callery pear tree!

Soil Condition

About soil condition, Callery pear prefers deep, fertile, well-drained soils but adapt to a wide range of conditions, including compacted clay. It is tolerant of drought, salty conditions, and urban environments.

Light condition

Like the other fruit trees, the Callery pear tree needs plenty of sun to produce a good crop of fruit. This tree is very sensitive to shading, so it's important to plant it in a spot that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. If your tree doesn't get enough sun, it will produce fewer fruits that are smaller in size.

Good Temperature

The temperature condition of the Callery pear is important for the tree to maintain its fruiting. The tree will not fruit if the temperature is too low or too high. The optimum temperature for the tree to fruit is between 32 degrees Fahrenheit and 45 degrees Fahrenheit. The tree will also not fruit if the temperature is below freezing or if the temperature is above 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

Humidity Requirement

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 60-70% The Callery Pear tree does best in areas with moderate humidity conditions, such as those found in the eastern United States. The tree is tolerant of a range of humidity levels, but growth and fruiting are optimal when humidity is between 60 and 70 percent. When the humidity is too low, the tree may have trouble blooming and fruiting. If the humidity is too high, the tree may be susceptible to diseases such as fungal infections.

The Fertilizer

About fertilizer, usually the plant doesn't need a lot. An annual top-dressing of compost is all that is needed to keep it healthy and looking good. About root, the plant's roots are shallow and fibrous, so it doesn't need a lot of root space. It can be planted close to buildings and other structures without damaging them.

Light requirement

Pruning is an important aspect of Callery pear tree care. Proper pruning will help to maintain the tree's shape, encourage new growth, and improve fruiting. The best time to prune a Callery pear tree is in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins.

About Propagating

Propagation is the process of creating new plants from existing ones. Callery pear can be propagated by rooting hardwood cuttings or by grafting. To root hardwood cuttings, take cuttings from the previous year's growth in late winter or early spring. Cuttings should be around 6-8 inches long and taken from healthy, disease-free plant material. Stick the cuttings in a pot of moistened potting mix and place them in a warm, brightly lit location. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Cuttings should root within 4-8 weeks. To graft, callery pear can be grafted onto quince or pyracantha rootstocks. Choose a healthy rootstock that is disease-free and of similar size to the graft. Make a clean, sharp cut on both the rootstock and the graft. The cut should be made at an angle so that there is more surface area for the two to join. Match the cuts up as closely as possible and bind them together with grafting tape or string. Place the graft in a shady location and keep the rootstock and graft moist until the graft has taken. This can take several weeks.

Growth Speed

Usually, the plant growth rate is rapid during the first 10 years after planting. Thereafter, growth rates flatten out and become more moderate. However, occasional individuals may continue to grow vigorously for many years. On average, a 12-year-old tree will be about 15 to 20 feet tall.

Basic Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant trees are related to their excessive growth. The trees can easily become too large for their space, crowding out other plants and creating a dense canopy that doesn’t allow much sunlight to reach the ground. The trees also produce a large number of small, sharp fruits that can be a nuisance to cleanup. Additionally, the dense growth habit of callery pear trees can make them susceptible to storm damage.

List to Know

  • Do not forget to water your plant regularly. The plant cannot grow without water.
  • Place your plant in an area where it will receive plenty of sunlight. The plant needs sunlight to grow.
  • Fertilize your plant regularly. This will help the plant to grow faster and healthier.
  • Prune your plant regularly. This will help to keep the plant healthy and promote new growth.
  • Do not allow your plant to become potbound. This can stunt the plant's growth.
  • Be sure to repot your plant every few years. This will provide the plant with fresh soil and promote new growth.
  • Do not over-water your plant. Too much water can kill the plant.
  • Protect your plant from extreme temperatures. Too much heat or cold can damage the plant.
  • Keep your plant away from drafts. This can cause the plant to become dry and damage the leaves.

Related Plants

  • Salix callicarpaea
  • Plinthus callicarpaeus
  • Hylobius callicarpaeus
  • Hedera callicarpaea
  • Dendrobium callicarpum
  • Chrysanthemum callicarpum
  • Callerya nepalensis
  • Callerya angustifolia
  • Callerya arborea
  • Callerya aspera

Source:
Callery Pear – Please Beware! | NC State Extension
Pyrus calleryana (Bradford Pear, Callery 'Bradford' Pear, Callery Pear ...
Albion Trees » Callery Pear

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Reviewed & Published by Richelle
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Trees Category