I Have a home in the South East and want to take out my Bradford?

Question

Pear and plant a Dogwood tree. How difficult is it to do.. and does anyone know any other pretty trees for this climate

Answer 1

For some reason, I don't think you will move the pear tree, they are horrible and will break in a gentle wind. I would get a chain saw and cut it down as close to the ground as possible, then drill 1/2 to 3/4 inch holes in it and put some tree killer there to keep it from sprouting from the stump.

You will have to move a bit of distance to be able to dig a hole for the dogwood because of the root structure of the pear. Dig the hole three times bigger than the rootball and twice as deep. fill the hole partially up with loose dirt with topsoil in it, then put the dogwood in there without putting the crown of the rootball below the surface of the soil. Drive stakes in the ground and and secure the tree so that wind and rain will not cause it to topple.

Answer 2

It depends on the size of the Pear tree: Height, trunk and branch spread will give an indication of how deep the root ball is. This is if you want to save & move the pear tree. Live trees over 10 ft. in height are heavy & hard to move by one-self.

However to plant the Dogwood tree---Dig a hole twice as deep as the root ball of the dogwood is. Fill the hole with water and let it soak in for 3 hours. Keep the rootball throughly wet.

Remove the burlap wrapper and place the dogwood in the watery hole for one hour and then stake the tree in the desired upright position or have some hold for you while you fill up the hole.

Periodical compact the earth around the tree to ensure no air gaps.. Build up a rim of soil around the trunk (bowl-like) and fill with water until the soil is soaked. make sure tree is solidly upright...and.........enjoy

Answer 3

Oh hooray! I hate those Bradford Pear trees. I would like to suggest that you replace it with a native tree. Native plants are plants that share an evolutionary history with a region. They are adapted for the soil, rainfall, temperature and native insects & diseases. They may also be more attractive to birds. I don't know where in the SE you are, but a lot of states' fish & wildlife services have native plant lists available. There is a native dogwood, Cornus florida (flowering dogwood). Also the Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis is a beautiful native flowering tree.