Question
I have 3 bradford pear trees planted in between my house and my neighbor along the property line. We are concerned about the trees causing future damage to the homes"root/plumbing" and or" roof and gutter" issues. i would like your opinion if the trees should be moved. There is roughly 20 ft. between our homes. I am hoping that everything will be fine. The trees were planted before the house next door was built. the trees are around 3 years old. thanks alot in advance!Oh , by the way, I live in southeastern MI if i matters.

Answer
There is not a problem with bradford pear root systems BUT the problem will be breakage from ice and wind. These trees grow fast and their limb angle is such that the limbs will break off easily. They grwo to a height of about 30-50 feet and a sprea of 20-30 feet so they will if they do not break take up the 20 feet betwnne the houses. Here are the other problems that most folks experiance:

Branches grow from one point at the tip of the trunk, making trees top heavy as they grow, and easily split, often in half, by wind.

When damaged trees are removed, roots produce tough thorny shoots which are difficult to remove. ( Trees are produced by grafting the shapely variety onto a thorny tree rootstock which is grown from seed. )

Their lovely white flowers have a really foul smell! ( Pollinators flock to it! )

Originally bred as sterile, trees have hybridized and are producing fruit and seed. ( The pears are about the size of a small marble, and grow in clusters. They're brown when ripe in late summer. Birds like them, so the seeds get "pooped" about. But, Squirrels like the seeds of unripe fruit , so they may provide some control of their spread.)

Because of over planting, VERY THORNY thickets of Bradford Pear "offspring" are invading natural areas.

I would leave them until they start to break and then replace them with another flowering tree.

Here are some suggestions as to replacements:
Plant species of trees that also have beautiful white spring blossoms such as Dogwood, White Red Buds, Service Berry, and Fringe Tree.