Cleveland Flowering Pear...does it smell as bad as a Bradford Pear?

[gonefishin]

Hi all,

I had to cut down my white birch, due to a quick onset death to over 60% of the tree. It was a nice large 15 year old white birch.

But to go on...

I now need a replacement. Our house is a two story with a rather ugly and flat front exterior. I think the nice upright large birch did a nice job of softening the edge of the house. I'm thinking something that still has a somewhat upright structure...decent height, but not too wide.

The wife wants something with a bit more interest than just an appealing (;) ) bark. I was thinking of a Cleveland Flowering Pear. But does anyone know if it smells as awful as the Bradford?

thanks,
dan

[Greensmith]

Know the botanical name?

[Stonehenge]

Pyrus calleryana, 'Cleveland Select'

[Helios]

I think the Cleveland Select is supposed to be slightly more stable than the Bradford, but still has many of the same traits, including the smell of the flowers. I found an interesting article about callery pears here:

http://www.agnr.umd.edu/ipmnet/5-8art1.htm

Some alternatives to the Bradford which allegedly have improved structure (all are Pyrus Calleryana cultivars):

Aristocrat
Autumn Blaze
Chantileer
Redspire
Stone Hill
Trinity
Korean Callery

[TrickyDick]

"Cleveland Select" is another name for "Chanticleer". I've used that several times as well as "Aristocrat". Never noticed a bad smell but maybe it's one of those things only offensive to some? Both are nicer than Bradford both for disease resistance and shape/ structure. Chanticleer is one of the narrowest cultivars.

[gonefishin]

Thanks for all the advice!

TrickyDick, I know the Bradford has a bad smell (to me ;) ) only when in bloom.

If it smells like the Bradford (while in bloom), I'm just not sure if I could live with it so close to the front window. Although it would only be for a few weeks.

thanks,
dan

[LandArts]

Cleveland Select is probably the best cultivar. I has the same "fragrance" as the rest. The problem with these pears is they hold their leaves later into the Fall and if you get an early ice storm it's history.