Get rid of these Invasive Trees!!!

[Johnsfolly]

Register March 17 – April 17 for 2025 Callery Pear Tree Buyback Missourians who register for the buyback with a photo of a cut-down Callery pear tree from their property will receive a free replacement native tree. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is again partnering with the Missouri Invasive Plant Council (MoIP), Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, and Forrest Keeling Nursery to host a Callery Pear Tree Buyback event in communities around the state on April 22 from 3 – 6 p.m. Also known as Bradford pear trees, Callery pear trees’ white flowers in spring give a visual attractiveness to these non-native, invasive trees. However the trees pose problems for landowners and wildlife. Their top-heavy canopy and brittle branch structure leads to a tree that often breaks in storms. Their flowers may be appealing to the eye, but they have a foul smell and many varieties of this tree have thorns. The tree’s aggressive growth also causes problems for wildlife, native plant species, and property owners. Learn more at mdc.mo.gov/trees-plants/invasive-plants/callery-pear-control. “As we prepare for spring, many Callery pear trees—also known as Bradford pears—will soon begin to bloom,” said MoIP Chairperson Carol Davit. “The profuse white blossoms of this highly invasive tree make their alarming spread especially apparent in spring along roadsides, in fields, parks, and on private property.” Register for the Callery Pear Buyback event from March 17 through April 17 at moinvasives.org/2025/01/31/2025-callery-pear-buyback/. The website also has information on how to identify Callery pear trees, a list of native tree species offered, and pick-up locations with specific addresses. Missourians who register for the buyback can get their replacement native trees on April 22 from 3 – 6 p.m. in the following Missouri communities with specific address information provided at registration: Cape Girardeau, Columbia, Doniphan, Hannibal, Jefferson City, Joplin, Kirksville, Lebanon, Moberly, Park Hills, Rolla, Sikeston, Springfield, St. Joseph, St. Louis, Warrensburg, and West Plains. Partnership members are grateful to the Richard King Mellon Foundation and the Missouri Community Forestry Council for their financial support of the 2025 Callery Pear Buyback event, as well as to Forrest Keeling Nursery and Forest ReLeaf of Missouri for tree donations. Financial and administrative support also come from the Missouri Prairie Foundation and MDC.

[BilletHead]

Thanks,

I read that in a press release the other day. I agree fully. Like anything deemed to be invasive. Funny how those trees were promoted years ago as good. Just like the autumn olive sold by the conservation department also now an invasive. 

[ness]

When my neighborhood was developed around 2000, every house got a 'street tree' from the developer. Not sure if it was required by the city, or just the developer trying to make the place pretty. They were all Bradford pears. And me not knowing better at the time, I put in a second one. It was non-sterile and made a mess for us every year. I took both of ours out, but most of them still remain in the neighborhood though many have split. We have undeveloped areas nearby that are just blanketed in white in spring. I'm not bothered by the smell, but I know many folks are. 

[tjm]

Too late. Pears are too wide spread now for even fully coordinated landowner and government efforts  to do anything about them. Think Mimosa, Sericea Lespedeza, Kudzu, Burdock and almost all other Eurasian species.   When is an introduced species change status from "introduced" to "invasive" to "naturalized" or "established"? How is that determination made? 

[Flysmallie]

We’ve had two in our front yard since we moved in over 25 years ago. Had one that was very messy and had it removed last year. $1,500. The other one can just stay until Mother Nature does her thing. But I can hear her getting all worked up in the distance so maybe today is the day? 

[snagged in outlet 3]

1 hour ago, ness said:

When my neighborhood was developed around 2000, every house got a 'street tree' from the developer. Not sure if it was required by the city, or just the developer trying to make the place pretty. They were all Bradford pears. And me not knowing better at the time, I put in a second one. It was non-sterile and made a mess for us every year. I took both of ours out, but most of them still remain in the neighborhood though many have split. We have undeveloped areas nearby that are just blanketed in white in spring. I'm not bothered by the smell, but I know many folks are. 

I've built two homes and Bradford's were offered the same way.  The first time I took them.  In this house (built in 2002) I declined and so did everyone else here.

[Flysmallie]

If they weren’t still for sale on every corner they would have an easier time getting rid of them. 

[ness]

8 minutes ago, Flysmallie said:

If they weren’t still for sale on every corner they would have an easier time getting rid of them. 

No kidding!

I think mine have been gone and stumps ground out about 5 years now. I still get suckers coming up that I get to deal with. 

[Flysmallie]

7 minutes ago, ness said:

I still get suckers coming up that I get to deal with. 

Yep. Mine come up in a perfect ring. I have no idea how it is happening. There was a huge hole. They filled it with soils and seeded it. And when they didn’t do that correctly, I did it all over again. It was a deep hole. But the little sprouts that pop up have short roots and pull right out if you get to them quick enough. 
 

Tree guy said it was probably coming from the other tree. Maybe, but if it is it’s only doing that in a perfect circle in one small part of my yard where the other one was. 
 

I think it’s too late to stop them. Need to engineer an insect to destroy them. 

[ness]

6 minutes ago, Flysmallie said:

Yep. Mine come up in a perfect ring. I have no idea how it is happening. There was a huge hole. They filled it with soils and seeded it. And when they didn’t do that correctly, I did it all over again. It was a deep hole. But the little sprouts that pop up have short roots and pull right out if you get to them quick enough. 
 

Tree guy said it was probably coming from the other tree. Maybe, but if it is it’s only doing that in a perfect circle in one small part of my yard where the other one was. 
 

I think it’s too late to stop them. Need to engineer an insect to destroy them. 

I think mine are from the roots that radiated out from the trunk that didn't get taken out with the stump. Resilient suckers!