Springfield News-Leader
With a plethora of invasive Callery pears planted across the state, conservation officials are offering a buyback program with a free replacement tree pickup in Columbia. All people have to do is send in at least one photo of each Callery pear tree they cut down and register.
“Callery pears have been a tree many people have enjoyed for years,” said Ann Koenig, MDC Community Forester, via news release. “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.”