I get sick. I mean really flat on your back for 3 days sick.I got a flu shot last year and Steve got the flu while I didn't. This year Steve got a flu shot and I didn't. So far he has avoided getting sick but maybe that is because he avoided me for the last week. Says something about how grouchy I have been.
Pretty much back on track now and starting to focus on the new routine of regularly working out again. This time of year is great because there are so few distractions.
I took my second tree walk this week and the second tree I encounter from the back yard is a Bradford Pear tree. Here is everything you ever needed to know about this tree.
Bradford pears are a variety of a pear native to Korea and China, but it wasn't until 1963 that the USDA introduced the variety commercially. Pyrus calleryiana, "Bradford"
The tree was supposed to be the perfect street tree, with profuse early bloom, a restricted pyramidal shape, and good fall color. So many landscapers, urban planners, and homeowners agreed that today it can be found almost everywhere.
The tree can grow to be 30-40 feet tall. It is covered with beautiful white blossoms in the spring, and in the fall can have many splendid colors from red to orange and dark maroon. The fruits are not edible by humans but are a favorite of birds and squirrels.
A Bradford pear tree will grow well in almost any type of soil and generally is not bothered by pollutants or pests that affect many other trees. It likes to grow in full sun and is not bothered by either drought or too wet soil. In part because of their branch structure, however, the trees start to have problems with wind and snow damage as they age. This can cause them to break apart when they start to be in the range of twenty years old.
Unlike most other pear trees this form is grown mainly for its ornamental features. The showy, white flowers appear during spring growth, often before the leaves. In contrast to their appearance, however, the flowers have an unpleasant odor. In autumn the leaves turn bright red to dark red before falling. The fruits are small and round, less than 1 inch in diameter, hardly resembling the traditional pear in appearance. While on a tree they are hardly visible, being hidden by leaves.But the relatively short life span (about 25 to 30 years) makes it necessary to replace individuals more frequently than with most other street or screen trees.
2 comments:
Well, that's a bummer - The flu can take you out for certain. After being shut in for a week with snow and ice myself - I understand grouchy!
We have several Bradford trees in our yard and have had to cut them back a few times - they are hardy if they can make it through our years of drought down here in Hotlanta!
Thinking of you and sending sunny thoughts your way!
Linda-so sorry to hear you had the flu, it is hard to believe how bad you can really feel. I will never go without a flu shot after Mike was so sick-and that was 29 years ago. So glad to hear you are feeling better.
My Bradford story is how our neighbors had a beautiful one back in the corner. Every year we would enjoy the perfect shape, beautiful white flowers and the stunning deep burgundy in the fall. One night for no reason, with no wind or rain a HUGE limb literally ejected itself from the tree. It was dark and very loud bringing out several other neighbors. It destroyed our entire back corner of landscaping and left a crater in the trunk of the tree. Roger had it taken down the next day and as we walked through the neighborhood that summer several neighbors had the identical problem. The sub is 27 years old so that 20-30 year lifespan is pretty accurate. Beware when walking underneath them.
Sending good wishes your way and greetings to Steve. Just catching up on the blog and loved the Christmas greeting from Jessica and her classmates-how clever. Hurry Spring!!!!!!
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