Question
Hi Sir, My church has Bradford pear trees planted about 10 to 15 feet from the church building, 2 feet from parking lot on one side and 2 feet from sidewalk on opposite side. These trees are around 10 to 20 feet tall. The roots are becoming a problem pushing up on sidewalk and parking lot. We also have a fairly large root around 2 feet from the church foundation. As these trees were donated the church is somewhat hesitant to cut them down. We have discussed running a trencher down both sides of trees. Can you give me a professional opinion as to if the trenching will work, damage the trees anyway or should we cut them down. Please advise me as soon as possible. Thanks and Lord Bless

Answer
First, Bradford Pear Trees are no longer desirable and in most major metro areas are no longer approved for use or are on lists of trees you should NOT plant. Although they have been heavily planted for their flowers and uniform shape they are prone to splitting with age, in wind or ice.
Also they grow so densely that nothing will grow beneath them. They often get mildew due to the lack of light inside the tree canopy.

If you trench on both sides just a few feet from the tree you most likely will kill the trees. You would need to be at least 10 feet or more to have any chance they would survive.

Personally I would cut them down and replace them with smaller flowering trees that will not become a maintenance concern in the future.

Hope that is helpful.
Sean J Murphy, LA,ISA, LEED AP
Please check out my blogs and articles on landscape topics like this on my websites.
http://www.seanjmurphy.com
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