Landscaping: best way to remove a small bradford pear tree

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JulieQ Cullman, AL (Zone 7b) August 20, 2008 1:30 PM	I have been thinking about removing one or two bradford pears and was wondering about the removal process... I thought I would cut it down (trunk is about 3" diameter) and try to dig out the roots. But, this may be too big of a root system to dig out by hand. Does anyone know how their root systems are? Otherwise I could leave about a foot of trunk above ground for leverage or to tie something to yank it out with. I think I will wait until after a rain and the ground is softer, or I could just water that area I suppose.... Any thoughts from someone who has tried this before?
NatureLover1950 Vicksburg, MS (Zone 8a) August 20, 2008 2:39 PM	Can you get a truck with a winch on it to the trees? If so, don't top the trees--just leave them intact. Someone who knows how to use a winch won't have any trouble pulling them out. Three-inch Bradford's shouldn't be too much trouble to get out this way.
kitten0115 La Vergne, TN August 27, 2008 2:48 PM	get a chain wrap it around, if not try this after a great soaking rian dig it out. I have done this at clients houses when there was a slope and I couldn't get the truck to work and we dug it out (2 people). Once you get going you can cut the roots as you push on it.
dp72 Woodway, TX (Zone 8a) August 27, 2008 9:10 PM	If you're going to plant another tree in the exact spot, you may want to have someone take it out with a stump grinder. If not, you could dig around it enough to cut it off just below ground level and fill soil back in over the roots.
kitten0115 La Vergne, TN August 29, 2008 7:20 AM	great thought dp72, think about what you might do even in the future, because if there's no way another tree will go in that place, save some time and hack it down
amisheliot Lima, OH September 10, 2008 8:34 PM	If it's not too late, be careful just burying the stump. It can affect the whatever you plant over to[ for many years as it breaks down and decomposes. It's always best to remove as much of the stump/roots as possible.
PAMSPACE Temperanceville, VA (Zone 7a) October 3, 2008 3:55 PM	We had to cut down a Bradford after about 15 years, it started to fall apart in high winds. However, after we cut it down to the ground, it began suckering really bad. This was in Zone6B. Good Luck, get as much out of the ground as possible. Pam
dp72 Woodway, TX (Zone 8a) October 3, 2008 5:04 PM	Bradfords' average lifespan is 12 years. The extreme branching angle traps moisture and debris at the join, and makes them vulnerable to breakage from wind, but particularly from snow or ice. They often split right down the middle in a high wind. Aristocrat is a much better choice. Little Gem Magnolia is even better if your climate zone is proper for it.
dp72 Woodway, TX (Zone 8a) October 3, 2008 5:04 PM	Bradfords' average lifespan is 12 years. The extreme branching angle traps moisture and debris at the join, and makes them vulnerable to breakage from wind, but particularly from snow or ice. They often split right down the middle in a high wind. Aristocrat is a much better choice. Little Gem Magnolia is even better if your climate zone is proper for it.
nanbernier St. Robert, MO (Zone 5b) October 9, 2008 8:55 AM	Just like Pam said, You will have suckers sprouting from the roots. It may be best to have that spot in lawn for a year or 2 so that you can easily mow them.
Tir_Na_Nog Houston (United States) (Zone 9b) October 9, 2008 8:58 AM	We had one just that size, we'd planted them a year before. They got fire blight and we learned they aren't a favored tree among DGers. HD said given their 1 yr warrenty they'd only refund us if we brought in each whole tree (we had 4!) so tha gave DH the adrenaline (mad about those trees lol) to just rock them back and forth until they came out, whole root ball and all. :)
dp72 Woodway, TX (Zone 8a) October 9, 2008 11:23 AM	Good for you! Bradfords are such bad trees they shouldn't even be on the market. If you get 12 years out of one you're lucky. Little Gem Magnolia is a good alternative for you, since fire blight doesn't affect them.
Tir_Na_Nog Houston (United States) (Zone 9b) October 9, 2008 11:35 AM	It wasn't their flowers that I was looking for, just wanted some trees along the backyard and HD had $150 Bradfords on clearance (along with the other trees) at half price. In a stark naked new construction neighborhood we wanted the SIZE of that $150 tree for the half price. :) Then I read about them on DG and saw they are bad bad bad lol.

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