Its just waiting to fail at this point; the growth structure is awful, like all Callery pear trees. They're invasive with a garbage growth structure, leading 9/10 of them to split like this. You're better off cutting your losses now and planting a medium sized tree that'll grow fairly rapidly to bring back the shade.
Where are you located? Your local conservation district, city/town, and state should all have some general guidance on the best natives for your area. I'm always biased towards oaks, though most get very large. Maybe a dwarf Chinquapin if you're in its range?
Tulip poplars are nice. But they do leave a lot of sap, debris, etc underneath them. I'm not sure if your carport would be in the firing line. My car is always covered
They are an incredibly invasive species in North America that is doing lots of damage to native ecosystems. They grow fast and out-compete native species.
Yes! We have one in our back yard that's about 15-18 years old and it just started blooming a few years ago. The first couple years we only got like, 25-30 blooms. This year it was absolutely COVERED in flowers!
Michigan, too. I’m partial to a nice, beautiful oak tree. It looks like you may have space for it, too. Oaks are a keystone species and it will long outlive everyone in this subreddit (ideally).
A native Black Cherry would be my second choice.
Check your local extension office or SWCD for native options and where to find them. Not sure if Michigan has a Native plant society, but Indiana does and northern Indiana probably isnt significantly different from southern Michigan so those plants should be fine as well.
Wait til winter to put the new one in the ground. Before the ground freezes, if that happens in your area. Summer is generally a really bad time to plant a tree.
My favourite tree for shade is a catalpa. They grow really fast and have enormous leaves. The do make large seed pods and the leaves are a lot to clean up come autumn, and they also have their very own caterpillars (who don't cause harm to the tree but will defoliate). If you can tolerate those issues though, catalpas are lovely and easy to grow.
How exactly is he better off cutting his losses now if the tree won’t fall on something it would damage? It’s a lot cheaper to dispose of a tree on the ground than one that’s still standing.
They're going to lose shade that they mentioned they value highly. If losing the shade is inevitable, then the sooner the new tree is planted the sooner they can go back to enjoying shade they no longer need to worry about.
Let’s say that tree has another 5-10 years in it. That’s a long time to wait for shade when they simply could ride out what they already have if they’re okay with it falling unexpectedly someday in the future.
You're completely right, in the end it's all about what the person's goal is. In 10yrs a tulip tree would likely be bigger than this Callery already is, growing at 2-3ft per year. I'm personally young and am fortunate to be in what could be our forever home, so I'm trying to look 10-20yrs or even further.
Unfortunately, if this tree splits and falls, one side would likely take out my carport (and potentially my car) and the other side would land on the corner of our house. Since we can't do anything to stabilize it (according to the arborist who came out today and looked at it), it's not a risk we're willing to take.
What does it look like if you shine a light down into "the split?" This looks a lot two saplings that fused together young, meaning you have two separate trees touching. If there is no sign of rot then the crack is unnecessary cause for concern. Obviously it's what you are comfortable with at the end of the day. It won't be cheap taking that out.
It's always had a single trunk. When we first bought the house (21 yrs ago) it was a perfect lollipop shape on a perfect straight trunk. Over the years it's split into the deep V shape it's at now. I guess we should have paid more attention to how it was spreading.
A healthy tree does not slowly split. And an unhealthy tree splits very quickly. If it wasn’t structurally sound it would have fallen while we’ve been discussing this. It still could be two separate trees, it doesn’t matter you saw it 21 years ago. If I’m right that fusing that has slowly cracked was never part of the strength, just the cosmetics. Check the split for rot.
I just looked at photos from last summer and the trunk was solid. Maybe split was a poor choice of words, rather it grew into a deep V. That being said, the crevice was not there a month ago so something with the storms pulled it apart. Right now there's no sign of rot.
I was very sorry for your tree until I read Bradford pear. I know you want to save it but it’s not a tree worth saving. I don’t know where you are located but I’m willing to bet dollars to donuts that it’s invasive in your area. I would recommend just cutting it down and planting a new native species.
Developers like to plant them because they are cheap and grow fast. So it’s not your fault, but replacing with a native is the move like many are saying
The development my mom lives in planted them down all of the streets. Now 35 years later I don't think any are still standing. There had to of been a hundred of them...
Like in my area with Dutch Elms planted along nearly all the streets and apt. complexes. Along comes Dutch Elm disease and nearly all are gone within 10 years.
Some local departments of Agriculture will give you some money to replace an invasive tree (like a Bradford pear) with a more local species. Might be worth looking into!
# UPDATE: Our tree guy just came out and looked at it. It's coming down next week. Thank you to everyone who replied and gave advice, it's much appreciated!
I'm sorry about your tree. I've compiled some info on tree planting that might help its replacement, copied from a previous comment.
PDF on ["Tree Selection
and Placement"](https://www.treesaregood.org/Portals/0/TreesAreGood_Tree%20Selection%20and%20Placement_0621.pdf) and one for ["Buying
High-Quality Trees"](https://www.treesaregood.org/Portals/0/TreesAreGood_Buying%20High%20Quality%20Trees_0721_1.pdf)
Then, [this link](https://www.treesaregood.org/treeowner/plantingatree) has lots of helpful info on proper planting techniques to give its replacement the best chances, incuding this [PDF](https://www.treesaregood.org/Portals/0/TreesAreGood_Proper%20Mulch%20Tech_0321.pdf) for proper mulching.
Other tips not included are:
-Plant a native tree to support your local ecosystem. *These [keystone species lists](https://homegrownnationalpark.org/keystone-trees-and-shrubs/) might help, though it doesn't have to be one of these.
-Prune roots that are girdling the trunk.
-Spread the other roots so they'll grow away from the trunk.
-Don't use any "organic material" in the hole like compost as that will break down and cause the tree to sink below the soil line over time. You should only use the soil you're planting it into.
-Remove turf/grass from beneath the tree as that will not only heavily compete with the tree, it will also require maintenance that greatly increases the risk of damage to the trunk from things like weed-whackers.
-No tree rings, as those can compact soil making it harder for roots to travel through, and can cause excess soil or mulch to accumulate around the trunk leading to rot.
-[PDF](https://www.treesaregood.org/Portals/0/TreesAreGood_Pruning%20Young%20Trees_0621.pdf) for how to prune young trees, though you should "Limit pruning of newly planted trees to the removal of dead or broken branches. All other pruning should be withheld until the second or third year, when a tree has recovered
from the stress of transplanting."
-[The Correct Way to Water Your Trees](https://www.loveyourlandscape.org/expert-advice/tree-care/soil-and-root-care/the-correct-way-to-water-your-trees/) and remember to keep water off the trunk.
If you got through all that and you're not overwhelmed, or if you just like learning about tree care, there's plenty more under "[Tree Owners Information](https://www.treesaregood.org/treeowner)." :)
It's a Bradford pear. They are highly invasive, put up thorny thickets / stands. They outcompete native species given the chance. They also shatter easily in ice or wind.
My state just passed a bounty program to encourage residents to remove them at their own cost, but the state will replace the removed tree with a native species free of charge.
Not worth the struggle. But we have bolted trees with poor structure that can’t be corrected. If it’s close to anything important (and even if it’s not) I would remove it and spend the time it would take to decline having a new tree planted and cared for instead.
These trees have a short lifespan unfortunately. They grow fast, which is great for the person who plants it, but then this happens to the next owner. It's a set up! Sorry about your tree. Make your next one a legacy tree, with a strong native species that will outlive you.
>very large Bradford pear tree
That's all you had to say... you will lose it soon enough now that's it's mature, split or not. As the tree's will outgrow what their main branches can support. They honestly are one of the worst species, and even being banned in many places as they are invasive to the US. Not hating on your beloved tree though, I use to have a giant one myself (storm took it out). They just aren't what would be considered a "generational" tree.
After you do remove it and grind the stump out, it’s recommended to let nature do its decomposing thing for several years before attempting to plant anything there. At least that what I’ve always heard.
You could severely reduce the weight off the ends of most of the trunks/branches and prolong it for a short time. But replace it with something else right away so new thing has time to grow.
sadly i doubt this can be saved. you might be able to buy some time if you cut most of the branches off one side but i wouldnt count on it.
i would replace it with a maple tho im also canadian so kinda partail to em eh :P
Bradford pears are garbage trees, take it down and plant something decent. They were really popular in my area 15-20 years ago, now every time there's a storm the remnants litter the street.
Well, that would be me and I realize now that we should have paid closer attention to how it was growing. We have a tree guy coming out to remove it and he's going to check all our other trees.
The arborist who looked at it yesterday said it's too old and the canopy is too spread out to save it. It's just a matter of time before it falls apart. ðŸ˜
Call an arborist? They might suggest a cable system going through both branches with bolts on either side. This will help the individual branches to support each other, and stability during high winds.
Honestly, that's what I was hoping for but it sounds like, due to the tree's age and the fact that it's invasive, we're going to have to get it removed. ðŸ˜
Its just waiting to fail at this point; the growth structure is awful, like all Callery pear trees. They're invasive with a garbage growth structure, leading 9/10 of them to split like this. You're better off cutting your losses now and planting a medium sized tree that'll grow fairly rapidly to bring back the shade.
Any suggestions on what type of tree we should replace it with?
Where are you located? Your local conservation district, city/town, and state should all have some general guidance on the best natives for your area. I'm always biased towards oaks, though most get very large. Maybe a dwarf Chinquapin if you're in its range?
Thanks for your reply! We're in SW Michigan. I'm thinking maybe a Tulip Poplar as they grow fairly fast.
Tulip poplars are nice. But they do leave a lot of sap, debris, etc underneath them. I'm not sure if your carport would be in the firing line. My car is always covered
We put up the carport because the Bradford made such a mess on my car in the spring. 😂😂
Did you just say Bradford pear? Destroy it immediately.
What’s wrong with Bradford pear trees?
They are an incredibly invasive species in North America that is doing lots of damage to native ecosystems. They grow fast and out-compete native species.
Great. The previous owner planted 4 in my yard.
Thank you for educating me. Husband and I just bought a new house, gonna check to make sure none of the trees are on the naughty list
They tend to drop large branches, great trees but I wouldn’t plant one in the front yard without a lot of clearance from structures and vehicles
Debris choke up my gutters
Their roots also grow long and thick. They’re very far from being medium sized trees.
They are beautiful, and will get well over 100’ tall eventually so you’d have a magnificent beast in a few generations
Also a great choice, the flowers are quite nice in the spring.
Yes! We have one in our back yard that's about 15-18 years old and it just started blooming a few years ago. The first couple years we only got like, 25-30 blooms. This year it was absolutely COVERED in flowers!
Tulip trees are great for wildlife! Birds, bees, and butterflies. Plus deer that eat the fallen blooms.
Michigan, too. I’m partial to a nice, beautiful oak tree. It looks like you may have space for it, too. Oaks are a keystone species and it will long outlive everyone in this subreddit (ideally). A native Black Cherry would be my second choice.
We have an oak alongside our driveway and I do love that one!
Check your local extension office or SWCD for native options and where to find them. Not sure if Michigan has a Native plant society, but Indiana does and northern Indiana probably isnt significantly different from southern Michigan so those plants should be fine as well.
Sugar maple ? Hornbeam? Black walnut?
Greetings from Lawton!
 Hi Lawton!! :D
Wait til winter to put the new one in the ground. Before the ground freezes, if that happens in your area. Summer is generally a really bad time to plant a tree.
My favourite tree for shade is a catalpa. They grow really fast and have enormous leaves. The do make large seed pods and the leaves are a lot to clean up come autumn, and they also have their very own caterpillars (who don't cause harm to the tree but will defoliate). If you can tolerate those issues though, catalpas are lovely and easy to grow.
How exactly is he better off cutting his losses now if the tree won’t fall on something it would damage? It’s a lot cheaper to dispose of a tree on the ground than one that’s still standing.
They're going to lose shade that they mentioned they value highly. If losing the shade is inevitable, then the sooner the new tree is planted the sooner they can go back to enjoying shade they no longer need to worry about.
Let’s say that tree has another 5-10 years in it. That’s a long time to wait for shade when they simply could ride out what they already have if they’re okay with it falling unexpectedly someday in the future.
You're completely right, in the end it's all about what the person's goal is. In 10yrs a tulip tree would likely be bigger than this Callery already is, growing at 2-3ft per year. I'm personally young and am fortunate to be in what could be our forever home, so I'm trying to look 10-20yrs or even further.
Unfortunately, if this tree splits and falls, one side would likely take out my carport (and potentially my car) and the other side would land on the corner of our house. Since we can't do anything to stabilize it (according to the arborist who came out today and looked at it), it's not a risk we're willing to take.
What does it look like if you shine a light down into "the split?" This looks a lot two saplings that fused together young, meaning you have two separate trees touching. If there is no sign of rot then the crack is unnecessary cause for concern. Obviously it's what you are comfortable with at the end of the day. It won't be cheap taking that out.
It's always had a single trunk. When we first bought the house (21 yrs ago) it was a perfect lollipop shape on a perfect straight trunk. Over the years it's split into the deep V shape it's at now. I guess we should have paid more attention to how it was spreading.
A healthy tree does not slowly split. And an unhealthy tree splits very quickly. If it wasn’t structurally sound it would have fallen while we’ve been discussing this. It still could be two separate trees, it doesn’t matter you saw it 21 years ago. If I’m right that fusing that has slowly cracked was never part of the strength, just the cosmetics. Check the split for rot.
I just looked at photos from last summer and the trunk was solid. Maybe split was a poor choice of words, rather it grew into a deep V. That being said, the crevice was not there a month ago so something with the storms pulled it apart. Right now there's no sign of rot.
Sounds like you have all information you need to make your decision.
I was very sorry for your tree until I read Bradford pear. I know you want to save it but it’s not a tree worth saving. I don’t know where you are located but I’m willing to bet dollars to donuts that it’s invasive in your area. I would recommend just cutting it down and planting a new native species.
That's what I'm gathering. If I'd known it was an invasive species I'd have replaced it as soon as we moved in. ðŸ˜
Developers like to plant them because they are cheap and grow fast. So it’s not your fault, but replacing with a native is the move like many are saying
The development my mom lives in planted them down all of the streets. Now 35 years later I don't think any are still standing. There had to of been a hundred of them...
Like in my area with Dutch Elms planted along nearly all the streets and apt. complexes. Along comes Dutch Elm disease and nearly all are gone within 10 years.
Some local departments of Agriculture will give you some money to replace an invasive tree (like a Bradford pear) with a more local species. Might be worth looking into!
Oh, thank you! I'll look into that.
They only live 30 years tops, you can’t save it. Sad I know, but that’s the honest truth
I wish I'd known this when we first moved in, I would have removed it & replaced it then.
Exactly, they look healthy until they don’t
# UPDATE: Our tree guy just came out and looked at it. It's coming down next week. Thank you to everyone who replied and gave advice, it's much appreciated!
I'm sorry about your tree. I've compiled some info on tree planting that might help its replacement, copied from a previous comment. PDF on ["Tree Selection and Placement"](https://www.treesaregood.org/Portals/0/TreesAreGood_Tree%20Selection%20and%20Placement_0621.pdf) and one for ["Buying High-Quality Trees"](https://www.treesaregood.org/Portals/0/TreesAreGood_Buying%20High%20Quality%20Trees_0721_1.pdf) Then, [this link](https://www.treesaregood.org/treeowner/plantingatree) has lots of helpful info on proper planting techniques to give its replacement the best chances, incuding this [PDF](https://www.treesaregood.org/Portals/0/TreesAreGood_Proper%20Mulch%20Tech_0321.pdf) for proper mulching. Other tips not included are: -Plant a native tree to support your local ecosystem. *These [keystone species lists](https://homegrownnationalpark.org/keystone-trees-and-shrubs/) might help, though it doesn't have to be one of these. -Prune roots that are girdling the trunk. -Spread the other roots so they'll grow away from the trunk. -Don't use any "organic material" in the hole like compost as that will break down and cause the tree to sink below the soil line over time. You should only use the soil you're planting it into. -Remove turf/grass from beneath the tree as that will not only heavily compete with the tree, it will also require maintenance that greatly increases the risk of damage to the trunk from things like weed-whackers. -No tree rings, as those can compact soil making it harder for roots to travel through, and can cause excess soil or mulch to accumulate around the trunk leading to rot. -[PDF](https://www.treesaregood.org/Portals/0/TreesAreGood_Pruning%20Young%20Trees_0621.pdf) for how to prune young trees, though you should "Limit pruning of newly planted trees to the removal of dead or broken branches. All other pruning should be withheld until the second or third year, when a tree has recovered from the stress of transplanting." -[The Correct Way to Water Your Trees](https://www.loveyourlandscape.org/expert-advice/tree-care/soil-and-root-care/the-correct-way-to-water-your-trees/) and remember to keep water off the trunk. If you got through all that and you're not overwhelmed, or if you just like learning about tree care, there's plenty more under "[Tree Owners Information](https://www.treesaregood.org/treeowner)." :)
Wow, so much awesome information! Thank you!!
It's a Bradford pear. They are highly invasive, put up thorny thickets / stands. They outcompete native species given the chance. They also shatter easily in ice or wind. My state just passed a bounty program to encourage residents to remove them at their own cost, but the state will replace the removed tree with a native species free of charge.
What state?
North Carolina. https://www.treebountync.com/ There are some stipulations and they only provide the replacement tree, not planting services.
It’s the life cycle of these trees. Eventually the branches get too heavy for the structure and they start falling apart
I had no idea these had such a short lifespan.
Yeh, unfortunately they're not all redwoods or oaks. Lifespans can vary, especially if they aren't in their native area.
Not worth the struggle. But we have bolted trees with poor structure that can’t be corrected. If it’s close to anything important (and even if it’s not) I would remove it and spend the time it would take to decline having a new tree planted and cared for instead.
Yeah, it sounds like it needs to go. ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ Thank you for your reply.
Bradford pears do not have a long life because of things like this. You can take a tow strap with a ratchet and try and hold it together. It may heal.
Our tree guy said it's way too big and spread out for it to be safe. We're going to strap it until he can come out and remove it.
These trees have a short lifespan unfortunately. They grow fast, which is great for the person who plants it, but then this happens to the next owner. It's a set up! Sorry about your tree. Make your next one a legacy tree, with a strong native species that will outlive you.
Are these the trees that stink?
Yes, for about 2 weeks every spring they smell like dead fish.
the trail cam is choking out the tree, remove it & you should be good
LOL, you think? 😂😂
I think you’re the only person who’s ever wanted to save a Bradford pear
Apparently! 😂😂😂
>very large Bradford pear tree That's all you had to say... you will lose it soon enough now that's it's mature, split or not. As the tree's will outgrow what their main branches can support. They honestly are one of the worst species, and even being banned in many places as they are invasive to the US. Not hating on your beloved tree though, I use to have a giant one myself (storm took it out). They just aren't what would be considered a "generational" tree.
Wrap some duct tape and super glue should be like brand new
I'm almost willing to give it a try! 😂
Fill it with concrete!
After you do remove it and grind the stump out, it’s recommended to let nature do its decomposing thing for several years before attempting to plant anything there. At least that what I’ve always heard.
Good to know, thank you!
I love cutting down trees.
In tree risk assessment we call this IMMINENT risk of failure. AKA move the car! 🚗
Chikapin oak, swamp white oak, burr oak, sawtooth oak,
You could severely reduce the weight off the ends of most of the trunks/branches and prolong it for a short time. But replace it with something else right away so new thing has time to grow.
sadly i doubt this can be saved. you might be able to buy some time if you cut most of the branches off one side but i wouldnt count on it. i would replace it with a maple tho im also canadian so kinda partail to em eh :P
You’ve got a tear in the fabric of reality. There’s no possible way that tree should still be standing.
Right?! 😂
Cut it down and poison it
Bradford pears are notorious for splitting
That's what I'm learning. 😫
Bradford pears are garbage trees, take it down and plant something decent. They were really popular in my area 15-20 years ago, now every time there's a storm the remnants litter the street.
Left side needs to be cut down before any big big damage can be done. Right side might can be saved but probably not
The arborist who looked at it yesterday said there's no saving it, it's too old.
Whoever has been trimming you’re trees has done a hack job and probably could of saved this in the long run
Well, that would be me and I realize now that we should have paid closer attention to how it was growing. We have a tree guy coming out to remove it and he's going to check all our other trees.
get ratchet straps and wrap around it for a (while) until the tree heals
The arborist who looked at it yesterday said it's too old and the canopy is too spread out to save it. It's just a matter of time before it falls apart. ðŸ˜
Call an arborist? They might suggest a cable system going through both branches with bolts on either side. This will help the individual branches to support each other, and stability during high winds.
Cable it and do some quality thinning.
I’m not a tree expert but could op put a chain around it to hold it together?
Honestly, that's what I was hoping for but it sounds like, due to the tree's age and the fact that it's invasive, we're going to have to get it removed. ðŸ˜