1. Bradford pear
Bradford pear blooms are a sign of spring coming in many areas. The tree is easy to grow, fast-growing, and easy to transplant, with spectacular red fall foliage and showy spring flowers. These characteristics have made Bradford pear one of the South’s most overplanted trees.
It grows much bigger than people usually envision—for instance, in 20 years, it can reach 40 feet wide and 50 feet high.
Its lovely white flowers are impressive, but many homeowners have come to regret planting them, making them some of the worst trees to plant. The Bradford pear lacks a central leader—main branches grow from a common point on the trunk—often making the tree split during storms.
While Bradford pear’s flowers have a sickeningly sweet aroma, it’s one of the worst trees to plant because it’s exceedingly invasive.
What to plant instead: Newer pears like Trinity and Chanticleer are better choices for most gardens. Native serviceberries are also lovely small trees or shrubs that offer all-season interest.
