17 Trees You Can Plant Instead of Bradford Pears

Bradford pear trees (Pyrus calleryana ‘Bradford’) are a cultivar of the Callery pear. These trees have quickly lost popularity and gone from a choice landscaping tree to a much-despised nuisance tree. Bradford pears were first introduced in the early 1900s as quick-growing ornamental trees with beautiful flowers. Trees were supposed to be hardy, seedless, and sterile. 

But it was soon discovered that they could cross-pollinate with other pear cultivars, which allowed them to develop viable seeds. Once enough pear trees were growing in close proximity, Bradford pears quickly escaped cultivation and developed a “wild” form which is now a very widespread invasive species. 

The American hornbeam is an attractive small to medium-sized tree. It is native to central and eastern North America and is a fairly common understory tree in eastern forests. American hornbeam is shade tolerant and an excellent tree for a partially-shaded landscape. These trees are low-maintenance and easy to grow.

When American hornbeam trees bloom, they produce hanging clusters of green or white leafy-looking catkins.

Female trees then develop leafy-looking nutlets that attract seed-eating birds. In the fall, hornbeam leaves turn attractive shades of bronze and yellow. The gray bark is smooth, and the wood is very dense and hard, as suggested by the name “hornbeam.”

American Smoke Tree 

	botanical name Cotinus obovatus
	plant type Tree
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 20 to 30 feet
	hardiness zones 4 to 8

The American smoke tree is a medium-sized tree native to the south-central United States but not very well known as a landscaping tree. If left to grow naturally, the American smoke tree tends to develop several main stems, leading to a more shrub-like growth pattern. The American smoke tree would make an attractive addition to a tall shrub border.

In the springtime, the American smoke tree develops interesting hazy-looking pale reddish flowers. En masse, these flowers give the tree a hazy or smoky look. The flowers then turn creamy white, almost fuzzy looking, and persist throughout the summer.

It has broad, almost rounded leaves that are medium green in color, sometimes with a hint of bronze. The leaves then turn beautiful shades of yellow, orange, and red in the autumn months.

Black Gum

	botanical name Nyssa sylvatica
	plant type Tree
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 30 to 50 feet
	hardiness zones 3 to 9

Black gum is a medium to large tree native to the eastern United States. It does well in full sun or partial shade, prefers medium-moisture soils, and even tolerates somewhat wetter soil types.

Once established, black gum develops a long taproot, allowing it to withstand some drought. If you have a somewhat shaded area in need of a unique tree, black gum would be a great option.

These trees are dioecious, meaning male and female trees produce separate flowers, but since all the flowers are small and greenish, you probably won’t notice their differences.

You will notice, however, that female plants produce small purplish-black fruits that are eaten by birds. In the fall, the oblong oval-shaped leaves turn brilliant shades of red and orange, making you wonder why more people don’t grow black gum trees in their yards!

Bladdernut

	botanical name Staphylea trifolia
	plant type Deciduous shrub
	sun requirements Part shade to full shade
	height 10 to 15 feet
	hardiness zones 3 to 8

If you’re looking for something a little bit different, try a bladdernut. This deciduous shrub can grow many stems and create a dense thicket, ideal for a hedgerow or larger shaded naturalized area. It prefers soil that is of average quality, well-drained, and dry to medium moisture. It is tolerant of drought, shade, clay soil, and rocky soils, making this a highly adaptable plant. 

In the springtime, bladdernut blooms with clusters of showy flowers. The flowers are white, drooping, and bell-shaped. After blooming, the flowers develop into inflated bladder-like capsules with thin, papery skins.

The capsules change from green to brown and persist into the fall. The leaves are medium green with three leaflets each, growing in small clusters along the stems. Bladdernut is native to the eastern United States.

Carolina Buckhorn 

	botanical name Frangula caroliniana
	plant type Deciduous shrub
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 10 to 15 feet
	hardiness zones 5 to 9

The Carolina buckhorn is native to the southeastern United States, where it grows primarily as an understory tree and along forest edges. This plant is a shrub or small tree that would be a welcome addition to the landscape.

Carolina buckhorn has relatively large, oblong, shiny leaves that develop good fall color in shades of yellow and deep orange-red. In the springtime, small creamy white flowers attract butterflies. The flowers give way to bright red berries that attract birds.

Carolina buckhorn is easy to grow in average-quality, medium-moist soil. These plants prefer some consistency in soil moisture and would do poorly in very dry conditions. You could grow buckhorn as a hedge planting or as a stand-alone ornamental shrub. Plants tend to be hardy and adaptable to a variety of environmental conditions.

Chokecherry

	botanical name Prunus virginiana
	plant type Tree
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 20 to 30 feet
	hardiness zones 2 to 7

Chokecherry is native throughout most of North America but does best in cooler climates. There is a purple-leaves cultivar, ‘Schubert’, which is very attractive and frequently sold as a landscaping plant.

In the springtime, chokecherry produces clusters of fragrant white flowers. These flowers are very showy and attract butterflies.  Later in the season, clusters of small purple-black berries ripen and attract fruit-eating birds. Fall foliage turns shades of yellow and orange.

Chokecherry does best in full sun but will tolerate a partially shaded location. It prefers average-quality but well-drained soil. Use it as a small to medium-sized ornamental tree or grow it along a hedgerow.

Chokecherry develops suckers at the base of the main stem. Prune these off to maintain a larger single stem, or allow them to grow into a naturalized thicket. The wood is somewhat brittle and may experience damage from heavy snow and ice accumulation.

Cornelian Cherry

	botanical name Cornus mas
	plant type Tree
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 15 to 25 feet
	hardiness zones 4 to 8

Cornelian cherry is a very attractive small to midsize tree, closely related to dogwood. Plant it in the corner of your yard, or make it the centerpiece in a sunny area.

Trees tend to develop additional suckers growing from the base. Prune these regularly to keep an upright tree form, or else you will end up with a more dense assortment of multiple stems.  

In the early spring, the Cornelian cherry is covered by masses of attractive yellow flowers. Leaves fill in as the flowers fade. A well-pruned and well-trained Cornelian cherry has a very attractive small-tree form.

In the fall, these plants yield numerous small red fruits that attract birds. This is a low-maintenance and adaptable tree, well-suited to a sunny location with uniformly moist, well-drained soil.

Eastern Redbud 

	botanical name Cercis canadensis
	plant type Tree
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 20 to 30 feet
	hardiness zones 4 to 8

The Eastern Redbud is native to the central and eastern United States and is a familiar sight in the springtime. This tree’s pinkish-purple flowers bloom along the branches and even emerge directly from the trunk when most other trees are still leafless and bare.

You can easily identify redbud trees blooming in yards and parks, along forest edges, and near roadways. After flowering, redbud trees develop an abundance of attractive, green, heart-shaped leaves. There are also some cultivars that have purple leaves. 

Eastern Redbud grows well in both full sun and partial shade. These trees do best in rich, moist, well-drained soil. They are somewhat intolerant of prolonged drought and may wilt, lose leaves early, and possibly die if they are dry for too long.

Trees are also somewhat susceptible to powdery mildew and other diseases. Trees tend to be pretty tough and will recover, but they may look rather rough at times, especially late in the season.

Fringe Tree 

	botanical name Chionanthus virginicus
	plant type Tree
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 12 to 20 feet
	hardiness zones 3 to 9

The fringe tree puts on a stunning display of feathery white flowers in mid to late spring. A healthy tree in full bloom is covered with sweetly fragrant fringes. The flowers give way to small black fruits that are favored by birds.

These trees are dioecious, and while both male and female trees produce abundant flowers, male floral displays are showier, and only the females produce fruits. 

In the fall, leaves change from green to pale yellow to a rich deep yellow color. These trees are native to the eastern United States and are easily grown in rich, moist, well-drained soil. They are intolerant of prolonged drought and would benefit from deep watering if the soil has been dry for an extended period of time.

Japanese Maple

	botanical name Acer palmatum
	plant type Tree
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 10 to 25 feet
	hardiness zones 5 to 8

There are many varieties of Japanese maple, and they are all beautiful small to medium-sized trees. They have star-like palmate leaves that display excellent fall color, some trees becoming entirely scarlet red in late autumn.

Reddish-purple flowers bloom in the spring but are insignificant, followed by reddish samaras (“helicopters”) that hang on the tree until early summer. 

Japanese maple can be trained to be a very shapely small tree, or you can let it grow naturally and enjoy its more sprawling form. However you manage your Japanese maple, these are very showy trees throughout the year.

Overall, this tree is low-maintenance and easy to grow. Japanese maples are readily available on the retail market, so you should have no trouble finding one. They do well in full sun or light shade but would prefer some afternoon shade in warmer climates.

Magnolia

	botanical name Magnolia liliiflora
	plant type Deciduous shrub
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 8 to 12 feet
	hardiness zones 5 to 8

The lily magnolia is a bushy or shrubby plant with beautiful flowers. In mid-spring, large, showy, dark pink blossoms emerge.

A larger, more mature shrub in full bloom will certainly catch your attention. Lily magnolia would create an excellent privacy hedge because it can grow into a rather large and dense mass of vegetation.

Grow lily magnolia in full sun or partial shade. This plant prefers rich, well-drained soils. It should have consistent moisture, and mulching around the base can help preserve soil moisture and prevent roots from drying out. By late summer, plants can start looking a bit scraggly, especially in a sunnier hot, and dry location.

Pagoda Dogwood 

	botanical name Cornus alternifolia
	plant type Deciduous shrub
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 15 to 25 feet
	hardiness zones 3 to 7

You may be more familiar with the flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), and both of these flowering trees are well worth consideration as an addition to your landscape. Pagoda dogwood has clusters of small white flowers that bloom in the spring.

The flowers attract butterflies, and the mid-season berries attract fruit-eating birds. Branches develop in a somewhat layered effect, vaguely resembling a pagoda.

Pagoda dogwood is a large shrub or small tree. Some plants will stay fairly compact, while others grow more tree-like. Pagoda dogwood thrives in partial shade with rich, moist, well-drained soil. In warmer climates, it prefers shade to sun, although in cooler summer climates, it will do fine with a full-sun location. In the fall, enjoy the attractive yellow foliage color.

Saucer Magnolia

	botanical name Magnolia x soulangeana
	plant type Tree
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 20 to 25 feet
	hardiness zones 4 to 9

Saucer magnolia is a winner for the landscape. This attractive small to medium-sized tree prefers a somewhat protected area where it has some dappled afternoon shade and consistently moist, well-drained soil.

During times of drought, offer some supplemental watering, and mulch around the base to help retain soil moisture. 

Saucer magnolia is at its best in early spring. Before leafing out, trees are covered with large, showy, fragrant pink flowers. When the petals drop after flowering, the ground below the tree will be temporarily pink with petals! Leaves are broad and somewhat glossy. In late summer and early fall, the seed pods may attract birds.

Serviceberry 

	botanical name Amelanchier arborea
	plant type Tree
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 15 to 25 feet
	hardiness zones 4 to 9

Serviceberry is native to the central and eastern United States. At a glance, serviceberry could be easily confused with a Bradford pear, but this tree has a year-round appeal and is not invasive. In early spring, serviceberry bursts into bloom, covered with snowy white flowers.

The flowers are showy and pleasantly fragrant, attracting butterflies and other pollinators. Flowers give way to bright red berries that are favored by birds. In the fall, leaves turn brilliant shades of reddish-orange.

Serviceberry, also sometimes referred to as common serviceberry or juneberry, is an easily-grown shrubby tree. It does well in full sun or partial shade and tolerates a range of well-drained soil types.

Plants naturally develop multiple primary stems, resulting in a more shrubby appearance. If you prefer a single stem, you can remove side suckers as they emerge, and your serviceberry will develop a more tree-like form. 

Sourwood

	botanical name Oxydendrum arboreum
	plant type Tree
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 20 to 50 feet
	hardiness zones 5 to 9

While not a well-known tree, the Sourwood it is worthy of consideration as a landscaping plant. Sourwood is native to the eastern and southeastern United States, where it grows naturally in moist woodlands.

Trees do well in full sun but also thrive in partial shade. However, they are particular about soil conditions and need rich, moist, well-drained soil. Offer supplemental watering during times of drought.

Sourwood has oblong, pointed leaves that turn brilliant shades of red, pink, and orange in the fall, making this an excellent fall foliage specimen tree. In the springtime, it develops drooping clusters of small white flowers that are highly attractive to bees. Sourwood honey is a favorite of honey connoisseurs! 

Weeping Cherry

	botanical name Prunus pendula
	plant type Tree
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 15 to 25 feet
	hardiness zones 5 to 8

Weeping Cherry is a popular landscaping tree for a good reason. There are several beautiful cultivars of Prunus pendula, and while they may look a little different from each other, they have the same basic growing requirements.

Weeping Cherries do well in full sun or partial shade. They also do best in rich, well-drained soils with consistent soil moisture. Avoid dry or sandy soils. 

Weeping Cherry trees are typically grafted. A sturdy upright base is grafted to a weeping top. This offers a healthy and hardy root system combined with an extremely ornamental display. Weeping Cherries make excellent centerpiece trees. In the springtime, before leaving out, they are covered with an abundance of showy pink or white blossoms. 

Yellowwood 

	botanical name Cladrastis kentukea
	plant type Tree
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 30 to 50 feet
	hardiness zones 4 to 8

Yellowwood is a medium-sized tree native to the deciduous forests of the eastern United States. It grows well in full sun to partial shade in average-quality, medium-moisture soil. Once established, it is tolerant of some drought. Branches are somewhat brittle and can break under heavy wind, snow, or ice. 

Yellowwood blooms in the spring. The flowers develop in long, hanging clusters. They are white and pea-like with an intensely sweet fragrance.

In the fall, leaves turn an attractive yellow-bronze color. The bark of this tree is very smooth, and the interior wood is, as the name implies, yellow. Trees don’t typically grow tall and straight but rather dense, compact, and rounded, making them excellent shade trees.