The start of the new year marks the beginning of a new three-year plan to eradicate the invasive Callery Pear tree, also called the Bradford Pear. The ornamental tree has been added to the state’s list of noxious weeds, meaning it cannot be sold or cultivated in Pennsylvania.
The Department of Agriculture says the trees spread from planted landscapes, crowding out other plants and disrupting native ecosystems. Starting on February 9th, nursery and landscape companies will be ordered to begin reducing their inventory.
Next February, letters of warning will be issued to any businesses still peddling the trees with a date of February 2024 by which all inventory must be destroyed. Merchants with questions should contact ra-plant@pa.gov.
