Question
I live in North Louisiana and have a circle drive thats is paved (asphault). I want to plant bradford pear trees along my drive. Will the roots of the free, as it grows, go under my drive and begin to tear it up? How far out to the roots grow? Thanks for your help!

Answer
The roots spread about 1 1/2 times the crown width. The crown width of bradford is about 20-35 feet when mature. The problem will not be the roots if the trees are planted away from the drive BUT narrow crotch (branch) angles make trees susceptible to storm damage. And there is a high chance that the branches and/or the trunk will split off during high winds storms. I would choose a different tree. Ask your local nursery for advice. OR call the LA. Forestry Commission and ask their Urban Forester what tree to select. Here is a web link to the La. Forestry contact page you can determine which office is closer to you.
http://www.ldaf.state.la.us/divisions/forestry/district-map.asp