The trees that line many of the streets in Columbia are called Bradford Pears, and they showed their blossoms briefly and transformed our town with snowy white flowers to introduce the Spring season.  The Bradford Pear is a subspecies of a deciduous tree from China and Korea called the Callery Pear. 

The species known as pyrus calleryana, also known as the Bradford Pear, was originally brought to the United States from Nanking in 1919.  In 1963, the USDA introduced the variety to be available commercially and they became very popular in towns across the US for their decorative quality.  In summer, the foliage of the Bradford Pear is dark green, and in fall the leaves turn to brilliant colors, ranging from yellow and orange to red, pink, purple, and bronze.  Several of these colors may even be present on an individual leaf making for a colorful and beautiful tree that changes dramatically with the seasons.

Tags: 2nd Street, City Hall, Flowers, Gardens

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