When our neighborhood was developed the landscape contractor planted a Bradford Pear in every front yard. Makes for a nice Spring appearance when the blooms come out. I have since put in a Himalayan Birch, 2 Sunset Maples, a Kousa Dogwood and most recently, a Plum, a couple years back. Lack of rain has put a clear strain on the Birch. It;'s lost quite a bit of leaves over the last couple weeks and a couple branches looks like they may have died off. Hoping its the lack of rain and not something else. The trees were not cheap. They were 8-10' delivered from the nursery (Briggs).