What’s that Smell?
She may be pretty, but it hits you like a wave of ocean spray. Oh wait. That’s not right.
It hits you like rotting fish. Yeah. That’s it.
Bradford pear trees may be gorgeous when they’re blossoming, but in case you were wondering what that fishy smell is in downtown Metuchen these days…
It’s the Bradford pear trees that line the streets.
Bleah.
(Plenty of other reasons to hate Bradford pear trees on my Bradford pear page. Have a look.)
Hahahhah! This is a hilarious, and awesome entry!!
The Germans have a similar problem with Female Gingko trees… they are gorgeous, but the smell …rude.
I love your photos, especially the tips of the trees against the blue sky!
Comment by Carrie Viohl — April 22, 2007 @ 1:19 pm
Ha! You learn something new every day! I would have never guessed that they stink.
Comment by Beth Crook — April 22, 2007 @ 9:54 pm
I can’t smell them at all. I think they are perfect in every way.
Comment by Jeff Beckman — April 22, 2007 @ 11:08 pm
Don’t believe me about the bad qualities of Bradford pear trees? Read what arborists and foresters have to say about them here. And also here. And here’s another, from the USDA Forestry Service. Ok, and this one’s from the EPA. I could go on and on all day finding endless resources that advise against planting these trees. Now if only I could follow my own advice and cut mine down, I could stop being a hypocrit. (I am weak-wooded; I have a hard time killing living things.)
Comment by Jules — April 23, 2007 @ 8:49 am
Julie - love the pics. We were out of town for a few days and returned to find main street in full bloom. It was 75 degrees but it looked as though it had just snowed. White, fluffy and gorgeous. I can get over the smell since it looks so darn pretty. I just love living here.
Comment by Leah — April 23, 2007 @ 10:03 am
Oh but they are sooo sooo beautiful! The photo of the trees is awesome! Looks like winter wonderland.
Comment by Nataly Lemus — April 23, 2007 @ 1:09 pm
I also hate this about them… when a strong wind comes along or maybe an ice storm, (which we have here in the South often enough to be a pain), they lose a limb or three and all of a sudden, they are only “half a tree” or less. The tree owners around here unfortunately seldom cut them down at that point. Give me a tall majestic beech tree any day.
Comment by Bill — April 23, 2007 @ 3:21 pm
I took a short detour this afternoon to experience Main Street. Perhaps, I may have noticed a feint smell in the air from the Bradfords, but mostly there were aromas from something cooking from one of the restaurants in the first block. I paused in the second block, sniffed hard, but got nothing. Admittedly, it was probably less than a one minute exposure and I then was back on the Lincoln Highway, which seems to also have many Bradfords.
I don’t own any pear trees, but think they look remarkable
Comment by Jeff Beckman — April 24, 2007 @ 6:08 pm
Jeff, you’re cracking me up! You went out of your way to check out the smell! How cool is THAT? Anyway, it wasn’t all that bad today. It’s worse when the humidity is high. And I think some people notice it more than others. But I was downtown today too, and didn’t smell a thing, so today was a good day!
Thanks for checking in. I think that’s sweet.
Comment by Jules — April 24, 2007 @ 6:57 pm
Do the Bartlett and Anjou Pear trees have the same problems with bad smelling flowers ?
I just planted these about 20′ apart in my back yard. Ottawa ON. Canada
Comment by Rod — May 1, 2007 @ 8:58 pm
Hi Rod. I’m not certain of it, but I would expect that any ornamental pear tree would have the same scent. It took mine several years in the ground before I noticed the fish smell, and some years it’s worse than other years.
Comment by Jules — May 2, 2007 @ 8:53 am
I’m not sure if the bartlett and anjou are considered ornamental - they are fruit bearing. The bartlett actually delivered 1 very tastey pear in it’s 1st year planted. (tree is about 6′tall)
I noticed that the flowers were almost scent-less or fragrant free last spring. I guess I’ll soon find out. If they are really bad I’ll remove them and plant 2 Autumn blaze maples (40′ apart) - I also have 4 dwarf apple trees (empire and golden delicious) 2 crab apples and a few white pine. I have a large south facing back yard (about 150′ x 100′) I’ll take a photo and send along - I hope I haven’t created a forest. If things start to get crowded - I’ll offer them free to neighbours who haven’t planted anything yet.
Comment by Rod — May 7, 2007 @ 8:41 am
My entire subdivision is planted with these trees…every house has two in the front yard. I can’t wait for mine to blow over so I can plant a native species instead. Maybe I’ll help out a bit with my Stihl.
Comment by Jessica — September 12, 2007 @ 2:37 pm
Does the Aristocrat Pear also smell? I was thinking about planting one of those but would rather not if it had a bad smell.
Comment by Ed — November 30, 2007 @ 1:02 am
Hi Ed.
The Aristocrat also smells, but mine doesn’t smell as badly as the Bradfords. Hope that helps.
Comment by jules — December 2, 2007 @ 12:28 pm
Our school has one of these tress and it is infamous for it’s stank.
Comment by Zach — April 17, 2008 @ 12:52 pm
I love the smell this tree makes!!! I don’t understand why poeple hate it.
Comment by Phyliss — April 17, 2008 @ 12:54 pm