ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - A Missouri task force is looking to rid the St. Louis area of the "highly invasive" and "foul-smelling" Callery pear trees, also known as Bradford pears.
The Missouri Invasive Plant Task Force (MoIP), in partnership with Forest ReLeaf of Missouri and BiodiverseCity St. Louis, will host a Callery pear “buy-back” program in St. Louis on April 20. You'll receive a native tree of your choosing to replace it.
LISTEN: Meridith Perkins, executive director of Forest ReLeaf speaks with Debbie Monterrey about why the callery pears are a problem and why you will likely have to replace them anyway.
Native to China, Callery pear trees (Pyrus calleryana) include 26 cultivars that present significant ecological concerns in Missouri, says MoIP.
“Callery pears have been a tree many people have enjoyed for years,” said MoIP member and MDC Community Forester Ann Koenig. “However, besides the fact that these trees often break apart in storms, and that they have foul-smelling flowers, it turns out these trees are spreading throughout fields and forests, causing problems in our more natural areas. We are excited to work with our partners to provide great, native trees to those who are ready to replace them.”
You can easily recognize the trees this time of year because they form a very dense clusters of white flowers. In maturity, they reach heights of 30 to 40 feet. Property owners should cut trees during spring, when they are easy to identify, as a means to reduce populations from spreading in unwanted areas.
Participants of the buy-back program will receive potted replacement trees, donated by Forest ReLeaf and Forrest Keeling Nursery, in 3-gallon containers that stand between 4- and 5-feet tall.
Participants must register at www.eventbrite.com/e/callery-pear-buy-back-in-st-louis-tickets-139948653189, upload at least one photo of each Callery pear tree they cut down, select replacement tree species and a time-slot for pick-up of their replacement tree(s). Free replacement trees will be provided to registered participants at the Forest ReLeaf CommuniTree Gardens at 2194 Creve Coeur Mill Road in St. Louis on the day of the event, April 20, from 3–7 p.m.
For more information, visit moinvasives.org/
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