What are those Awesome Flowering Trees in Front of City Hall?
The Palo Alto Tree Programs group responds to this repeating inquiry every year. "What are those awesome flowering trees in front of city hall?"
Yes, the trees in front of Palo Alto city hall plaza are a fruitless variety called "Bradford" flowering pear (Pyrus calleryana, "Bradford"). It is one of the first trees to bloom in Spring developed for its terrific, prolific flowering plumage. It resists fire blight disease but tends to break main branches periodically because of weak branch attachments.
There are also fine specimens in front of Wells Fargo Bank on Hamilton Ave at Waverly. Others along Forest Ave are called, "Aristocrat Pear". Fall color has equal drama with leaves turning orange, yellow, burgundy-red and everything in-between.
If you like this tree type, I would recommend similar but better structure tree varieties called: "New Bradford," "Chanticleer," or "Redspire." All grow wonderfully in our climate, are available from nurseries, and are a guaranteed attention-grabber whether in the front or rear yard landscape or a formal commercial landscape design.
Keep your cameras handy at all times!
Dave Dockter
Landscape Specialist, ASCA, ISA, APA
The City of Palo Alto
