If you’ve ever driven past a field in spring and noticed big clouds of white bloom—and then realized many of those trees weren’t planted there—you’ve seen the problem with Callery pear, often sold as “Bradford pear.” These trees escape yards and developments and quickly spread into natural areas, creating thorny thickets that crowd out native plants.
A new multi-state study looked at which herbicide methods actually work on mid-sized Callery pear trees—the ones too big to pull but not yet full-grown monsters. The results give gardeners and landowners some much-needed clarity.
The Big Takeaway
If you want a Callery pear gone for good, cutting it down and treating the stump right away is the most reliable method.
What Works Best
1. Cut-stump treatment (the clear winner)
Researchers tested several herbicides on freshly cut stumps, and all of them worked—100% control, no regrowth.
In plain terms:
Cut the tree → immediately paint or spray the stump with herbicide → the pear doesn’t come back.
This method:
• Works in any region
• Prevents the tree from resprouting
• Keeps the problem from escalating
Tip for homeowners:
You can use products containing glyphosate, triclopyr, or imazapyr—all are commonly available at garden centers in stump-treatment form.
2. Hack-and-squirt (good, but not for every situation)
If cutting isn’t possible, another option is making small cuts around the trunk and applying herbicide into those cuts.
Works well with:
• Glyphosate
• Triclopyr
Not great with:
• Imazapyr (very poor results)
Important caution:
Callery pears have long, sharp thorns, so this method can be tricky—and prickly—for homeowners.
3. Soil-applied herbicides (not recommended)
The study tested a soil treatment (hexazinone), but the results were inconsistent and generally ineffective. It also damaged nearby grasses.
In short: skip this method.
Why Gardeners Should Care
Even if you didn’t plant a Bradford pear, your neighbors or older landscaping in your area may have. Birds spread the seeds far and wide, and once seedlings take hold, they grow fast. Mid-sized trees are already past the point where pruning or mowing will help—they simply resprout thicker and thornier.
Taking out a Callery pear early saves you:
• Time
• Labor
• Headaches from dealing with aggressive thorns
• The frustration of seeing it come back again and again
And replacing it with a native flowering tree—like serviceberry, redbud, or dogwood—supports pollinators and improves soil health (mulch included!).
The Bottom Line for Your Garden
If you’re facing an unwanted Callery pear:
👉 Cut it and treat the stump right away for the best long-term control.
👉 Use glyphosate or triclopyr if you can’t cut and need a hack-and-squirt approach.
👉 Skip soil herbicides—they don’t work well.
👉 Act while the tree is still young or mid-sized—bigger trees mean bigger problems.