ST. LOUIS – Bradford pear trees, an incredibly invasive and non-native species, are back and spreading fast across Missouri.
Bradford pear trees, also known as Callery pear trees, are notorious for their rapid growth and ability to overwhelm native plants. Their seeds spread quickly, allowing them to take over natural landscapes and disrupt local ecosystems.
There’s a good chance you’ve seen these trees popping up around you. They are easily recognizable by their distinctive white blossoms, weak wood, and densely rounded shape. They also tend to emit an unpleasant odor, especially during peak blooming season.
While these trees were very popular decades ago for ornamental purposes, they are now considered a major ecological threat, both for native plants and wildlife.
This year, the Missouri Department of Conservation has teamed up with the Missouri Invasive Plant Council, Forest ReLeaf of Missouri and Forrest Keeling Nursery for a pear tree buyback program. Homeowners can remove a Bradford pear tree from their yard and receive a free native tree to replace it.
To participate, one can register online, upload a photo of a cut-down Bradford pear tree and pick up a new tree at a buyback event on April 22 from 3-6 p.m. The following Missouri cities will participate in the program:
- Cape Girardeau
- Columbia
- Doniphan
- Hannibal
- Jefferson City
- Joplin
- Kirksville
- Lebanon
- Moberly
- Park Hills
- Rolla
- Sikeston
- Springfield
- St. Joseph
- St. Louis
- Warrensburg
- West Plains
To register for the program, click here. For more information on the program, click here or email info@moinvasives.org.