Question for the grafting wizards

Question for the grafting wizards

I’d like to run trials on grafting European pear varieties on Bradford pear (Pyrus calleryana) and have a question.

Bradfords are extremely invasive where I’m at so I figured I’d try my luck at removing them from my local woods and using them as rootstock to grow food. Maybe in the future this could inspire people to do the same. It is known that P. calleryana is a compatible rootstock for most pear varieties, especially European pears.

Bradford’s are known to live only 15-20 years before they seemingly spontaneously explode under their own weight or little more than a gentle breeze. My question is if used as a rootstock, will the resulting union tree be limited to a 15-20 year lifespan? Is the lifespan of the Bradford a result of the tree inevitably destroying itself or is it genetic? I know other pear varieties can live well over 200 years. Thanks.

submitted by /u/Billy_Bowleg
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