A Bradford pear tree in bloom is a sure sign that springtime ... It can be very abundant in old fields," said Clemson ...

Over time, people planted the Bradford pear as an ornamental tree. As they started growing in the warmer southern regions of the country, they went on to spread north and eventually became invasive.

Here's what to know about Bradford pear trees and what native alternatives you can plant instead. ∎ A flowering cultivar ... not named Bradford include Cleveland Select, Select, Aristocrat ...