Question
Hi!  Our large (30 Ft.) Bradford Pear next to the house has just had a very large limb snap off at the trunk.  The size of the limb makes up about 1/4 the size of the tree.  It is still attached only by the bark.  What do we do about the open wound and is this likely to kill this tree?

Answer
Cut the limb nearly flush with the trunk and remove any loose bark. The tree will heal over the wound without any wound dressing or paint. The wound will not kill the tree BUT Bradford pear trees are subject to breakage during wind storms when they get older due to the branch angles. There is not much that can be done except cut the branch as the break.