With their white blooms, Callery pear trees are most obvious in spring. This highly invasive tree threatens
native wildlife and causes difficulties for private and public landowners. Homeowners are invited to cut
down their Callery pears and receive a free, non-invasive tree at this event.
Participants must register with EventBrite by visiting https://moinvasives.org/2022/03/10/callery-pearbuy-back-event-4-26-22/, choose their location, select a replacement tree species, and upload at least one
photo of each Callery pear tree they cut down. Free replacement trees will be provided to registered
participants at the selected location on the day of the event, April 26, from 3–6 p.m. (Note: Kansas City
has two event dates.)
Native to China, Callery pear trees (Pyrus calleryana) include 26 cultivars that present significant
ecological concerns in Missouri. Some of the most common cultivars offered commercially include
Aristocrat, Autumn Blaze, Bradford, Capital, Cleveland, Chanticleer, Red-spire, and Whitehouse.
Callery pear limbs generally grow vertically, forming a pyramid or egg shape. Typically in early April,
very dense clusters of white flowers cover the tree before leaves form. 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.
Individual cultivars generally do not produce fertile seeds on their own. However, insect pollination of
flowers with other cultivars on nearby properties can produce fertile seeds, carried by birds, that sprout
and establish wherever they are dispersed. Each year, older trees in urban landscapes produce viable seeds
that contribute to growing infestations. Breaking this cycle begins with choosing native/non-invasive
alternatives for future plantings and controlling existing invasive populations.
“Many people have enjoyed Callery pear trees 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 more natural areas, along roadsides, commercial areas, private landowner property, and other
locations. We are excited to work with our partners to provide great, native trees to those who are ready to
replace them.”
