Bradford Pear Trees – Resprouting Roots

Q: More than a year ago we had two Bradford pear trees cut down and their stumps ground. Little trees keep coming up from the roots. What can I do to put an end to the resurrection?

A: ‘Bradford’ pear trees store lots of energy in their roots, which have plenty of dormant buds along their length. The roots replenish their energy by making sprouts. The roots will eventually exhaust themselves if you keep killing the sprouts, either by mowing, digging or spraying with herbicide.