Yes they should be cut down. They are way to close at least 20 feet would've been exceptable but no. They are short lived anyhow, after a windstorm or two a few branches break off. Imagine a hurricane or even a historic ice/snow storm. Replace them with other ornamentals like redbuds, dogwoods, buterfly bushes, crape myrtles, kwanzan, yoshinos, and many more.

hit the link ..

and look at the pix of the larger ones.. and you can see what the problem is ...

there are at least two more posts on page one of the tree forum.. and one of them had this .. which made me chuckle yesterday:

Sorry...from the other thread but:
Posted by pineresin 8/9 UK (My Page) on
Sun, Aug 16, 09 at 4:15

Ditto to the above. Other differences:

Bradfor Pear flowers smell of a mixture of rotten fish and vomit
Cleveland Pear flowers smell of a mixture of vomit and rotten fish

Resin

THIS MAY BE THE FUNNIEST COMMENT I'VE EVER SEEN ON GARDENWEB. Thanks for the laugh, Resin!

==>>> and a pear is a pear.. when it comes to the smell .... i once suggested it was a long rotting gym locker aroma ... and that is why .. if for no other reason.. they should not be that close to your house ... they bloom.. when most of us.. in my z5 anyway.. are just getting the windows open.. after winter ... and the stench is not a plus.. lol .. understatement of the day ...

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link

Frankly, I prefer the fruiting pears over the bradfords. We've got a few Bartletts, and they have a much less rangy habit. Plus, you can eat the fruit! They thrive on neglect, producing a bushel or two of pears every year.

My husband and I went out after reading the comments this morning and cut the trees down. Worked most of the day but so good to have them out. They were only about 6 years old so not too hard to get out. Thanks again for the help you folks give on this forum! Amazing indeed!

surely a man of action ....

congrats on the right decision.. and carrying it out with speed ..

did he do it in the dark of night ... lol

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: Odds are you won't live to see tomorrow.

Yay!

Yep they are gone! And today (Thanksgiving Day) we chopped out more pear trees in the back yard and even several norway maples. They were absolutely FULL of seeds! They went all over the place as we hauled the mess to the trailer. Now the question. Can I put roundup on the stumps and let it go at that. Most of these trees were only 6 to 8 years old.

Great!! now the next step would be to replant with natives.

i love you peeps...

do you want to adopt a 50+ year old man??

yes on the RU.. just on the cambian layer... just under the bark...

use a pinpoint applicator like at the link.. think dollar store ...

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link