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.”
Missouri task force wants to free state from the smell of… well, you know what
April 8, 2021
A Missouri task force wants to buy back all the stinky Callery pear trees in St. Louis. // Image courtesy of Missouri Botanical Garden
So…you know that smell that’s normally present in the air every spring? A Missouri task force plans to do something about that.
The Missouri Invasive Plant Task Force is collaborating with Forest ReLeaf of Missouri and BiodiverseCity St. Louis to free St. Louis of the “foul-smelling” Callery pear trees known by various other less pleasant names. The task force will buy the trees beginning April 20 and replace them with other ecologically-friendly trees.
COLUMBIA - The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is trying something new to limit the presence Callery pear trees in local environments.
Callery pear trees, also known as Bradford pears, are the top invasive plant species in Missouri. They are easily identifiable right now because of the white petals of their blossoms.
MDC community forester Ann Koenig said the trees take up space in many places.
Dozens of invasive pear trees invade this acreage on the southeast corner of West Nifong and Sinclair in south Columbia. You will see parks here in Columbia and in open fields that are just absolutely inundated with pear right now, Koenig said. They re easy to identify right now because they re blooming.
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