Bradford Pear Tree help!

I heard that the life span of a BP tree is about 15 years. Does anyone know if this is true. What happens to them after the 15 or so years?

look here in Plan Flies for answers to your questions>
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/53445/

They disintegrate.

Resin

The problem is they're a weak tree. I see many of the older ones missing large branches that broke off in the wind. Once that happens they end up looking on so attractive.

I've read that the Cleveland Pear is very durable and is identical to the Bradford in appearance.

I believe the name figaro52 is 'Cleveland Select'.
I too have seen how they mostly self-destruct or disintegrate after 10 or 15 years, sometimes sooner, maybe a little later. But the narrow crotch angles of the branches allow them to break off easily with a storm usually. Bradford Pears hold their leaves longer than usual being the freak of nature that it is, and the branches get weighed down easily by snow or whatever (wind and rain can also take the toll), and what usually results is a big mess for the owner to clean up.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v243/w4i0a/broken%20Bradford%20Pears/

Cleveland Pear - Cleveland Select.

Tom-ay-to - Tom-ah-to.

Have it your way, but leaving out half the name isn't synonymous with pronunciation, mister.

I used to live in Glenn Dale, Maryland, so I have a different name for these trees. They're common on roadsides (US 422 for example) and fields here now, too.

http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/73633/

Is the Callery Pear's branching habit considered decurrent, or something else?

I was advised to not plant the BPs too close to buildings because as they age they tend to be more fragile and the limbs break easily so can damage structures.

Hmmm I have a couple that were here when we bought the house 3 years ago. They were planted with the house 25 years ago. No branch breakage yet. I've heard of an ornamental pear that has a more columnar shape is that the same as the cleveland?? We have one right next to the house that gives us great shade. Now I'm worried, I'll have to go out tomorrow and check the shape to see what type it is.

What's worse is when it does come time to cut them down, they send up sprouts for years. They're almost impossible to kill.

I just lost half of one from last night's storm. We def think the rest will have to come down.
Anyone know if I can use them in our smoker for cooking?

Pear wood is often used for firewood, so presumably yes.

Resin