Registration and Sign-Up
The Missouri Invasive Plant Council (MoIP), in partnership with Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, Forrest Keeling Nursery, and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), will host a Callery (Bradford) pear “buyback” program in locations around the state on April 23. Homeowners are invited to cut down one or more Callery pear trees and receive one free, non-invasive tree at this event.
To be eligible for one free native tree, participants must register and submit a photo of their cut-down Callery pear. One free native tree will be provided to each registered participant at the selected location on the day of the event, April 23, from 3–6 p.m.
Registration is open March 15 – April 15.
1. Select your location below and register in your location-specific linked form.
- St. Louis, MO – SOLD OUT
- Columbia, MO
- Cape Girardeau, MO
- Springfield, MO – SOLD OUT
- Joplin, MO
- Lebanon, MO
- Hannibal, MO
- Farmington, MO
- Kennett, MO
- Rolla, MO
- West Plains, MO – SOLD OUT
- Kirksville, MO
- St. Joseph, MO
- Kansas City Area: For information on Kansas City, MO, and Kansas area events, see the Deep Roots website.
2. There will be a link within the form to submit a photo of your cut-down Callery pear tree(s).
3. Pick up your tree April 23, 3-6pm. Location details and directions will be provided upon registration.
For more information about this program or MoIP, contact info@moinvasives.org.
Plan Ahead
Now is the time to plan to take part in this program, starting with identifying Callery pear trees on your property and considering whether you might hire a professional to help cut down the trees.
- Callery pear trees (Pyrus calleryana) include 26 cultivars (including Cleveland and Bradford pear) that present significant ecological concerns in Missouri. Callery pear limbs generally grow vertically, forming a pyramid or egg shape.
- Mature trees reach heights of 30-40 feet. When removing trees near buildings or fences, homeowners may want to consider professional assistance. Please refer to the Grow Native! Resource Guide listings for Arborists and Land Care & Landscape Services to find professionals in your area who can assist with tree removal.
- Identification of the trees is easy when they are blooming. Typically in early April, very dense clusters of white flowers cover the tree before leaves form.
Local media contacts for each participating location are listed below.
- St. Louis, MO: Billy Haag, Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, billy@moreleaf.org, (314) 533-5323
- Columbia, MO: Emily Render, info@moinvasives.org, (573) 569-8659
- Cape Girardeau, MO: Josh Hartwig, Josh.Hartwig@mdc.mo.gov, (573) 290-5730 ex. 4419
- Farmington, MO: Josh Hartwig, Josh.Hartwig@mdc.mo.gov, (573) 290-5730 ex. 4419
- Kennett, MO: Josh Hartwig, Josh.Hartwig@mdc.mo.gov, (573) 290-5730 ex. 4419
- Springfield, MO: Jon Skinner, jon.skinner@mdc.mo.gov, (417) 629-3434 ex. 4543
- Joplin, MO: Jon Skinner, jon.skinner@mdc.mo.gov, (417) 629-3434 ex. 4543
- Lebanon, MO: Jon Skinner, jon.skinner@mdc.mo.gov, (417) 629-3434 ex. 4543
- Hannibal, MO: Kristy Trevathan, kristy.trevathan@prestigerealty.net, 573-248-6581
- Rolla, MO: Pam Barnabee, pamela.barnabee@gmail.com
- West Plains, MO: Valarie Kurre, vkurre@quailforever.org, (417) 708-6497
- Kirksville, MO: Yvette Amerman, Yvette.Amerman@mdc.mo.gov
- St. Joseph, MO: Bill Graham and Timothy Wolfe, bill.graham@mdc.mo.gov, Timothy.wolfe@mdc.mo.gov, (816) 759-7305, ext. 1131
- Kansas City Area: Deep Roots, Chris Cardwell, chris@deeprootskc.org
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Your Free Tree
Q: I removed multiple Callery pear trees. How many native trees can I get?
A: One. We encourage you to cut down multiple Callery pears, but each household can receive 1 free tree. The goal of this event is to educate the public about the problems of the invasive Callery pear. To reach the most people, our resources are limited to one native tree per household. The cost to grow and distribute trees is covered by nonprofits who need your support to reach more people. Please consider donating to help fund future events!
Q: Does the free tree have to replace the Callery pear?
A: We prefer not to call it a replacement tree because the tree species you choose could be planted in a different location. You might want to choose a tree with a completely different height, appearance, and function. For example, you might choose a tall oak that provides shade to your house and acorns to feed wildlife.
Q: Which species of native trees can I choose from, and how do I select one?
A: You will get to select a species preference during registration. Choose your location, register via the linked form, and follow the prompts to view and select your tree species available for your location. Then, click the link within the form to upload a photo through a separate form.
Our partners in this program, Forest ReLeaf of Missouri and Forrest Keeling Nursery, work hard to donate a good selection of tree species that will grow to a variety of heights, including small, medium, and tall canopy trees. The selection of trees also provides a range of benefits to homeowners and native species, including beautiful spring flowers, colorful fall leaves, and/or food for wildlife.
- Columbia
- Buttonbush – SOLD OUT
- Flowering Dogwood – SOLD OUT
- Northern Red Oak – SOLD OUT
- Nuttall Oak
- Overcup Oak
- Redbud – SOLD OUT
- Serviceberry – SOLD OUT
- Shumard Oak
- Swamp White Oak – SOLD OUT
- White Fringetree – SOLD OUT
- St. Louis – SOLD OUT
- Buttonbush – SOLD OUT
- Flowering Dogwood – SOLD OUT
- Nuttall Oak – SOLD OUT
- Pawpaw – SOLD OUT
- Redbud – SOLD OUT
- Serviceberry – SOLD OUT
- Shumard Oak – SOLD OUT
- White Fringetree – SOLD OUT
- Joplin
- Cherrybark Oak
- False Indigo
- Northern Red Oak
- Redbud – SOLD OUT
- Swamp Chestnut Oak – SOLD OUT
- White Fringetree – SOLD OUT
- Springfield – SOLD OUT
- Buttonbush – SOLD OUT
- False Indigo – SOLD OUT
- Flowering Dogwood – SOLD OUT
- Northern Red Oak – SOLD OUT
- Serviceberry – SOLD OUT
- Shumard Oak – SOLD OUT
- Swamp White Oak – SOLD OUT
- White Fringetree – SOLD OUT
- Lebanon
- Black Gum – SOLD OUT
- Buttonbush
- KY Coffeetree
- Shumard Oak
- Cape Girardeau
- Black Gum – SOLD OUT
- Buttonbush
- Cherrybark Oak – SOLD OUT
- Flowering Dogwood – SOLD OUT
- KY Coffeetree
- Pawpaw – SOLD OUT
- Swamp Chestnut Oak
- Farmington
- Black Gum
- Buttonbush – SOLD OUT
- Cherrybark Oak
- Flowering Dogwood – SOLD OUT
- KY Coffeetree – SOLD OUT
- Swamp Chestnut Oak – SOLD OUT
- Kennett
- Black Gum
- Buttonbush
- Cherrybark Oak – SOLD OUT
- Overcup Oak
- Swamp Chestnut Oak – SOLD OUT
- Hannibal
- Black Gum – SOLD OUT
- False Indigo – SOLD OUT
- Northern Red Oak
- Swamp White Oak
- Rolla
- Black Gum – SOLD OUT
- Buttonbush
- KY Coffeetree – SOLD OUT
- Pawpaw – SOLD OUT
- Shumard Oak – SOLD OUT
- West Plains – SOLD OUT
- Buttonbush – SOLD OUT
- KY Coffeetree – SOLD OUT
- Pawpaw – SOLD OUT
- Shumard Oak – SOLD OUT
- Swamp White Oak – SOLD OUT
- Kirksville
- False Indigo
- Northern Red Oak
- Serviceberry – SOLD OUT
- Shumard Oak
- St. Joseph
- Kansas City: For information on Kansas City, MO, and Kansas area events, see the Deep Roots website.
Q: Why are the trees so small?
A: The native trees available are young trees in 3-gallon containers that stand about 2-4 feet tall. This size was selected by tree professionals as the best size for you and your tree. It is less stressful on the tree to plant it when it is smaller, and survival rates of trees are better at this size. Trees at this size are manageable for people to lift, take home in their vehicles, dig the right size of hole for, and plant. Additionally, the cost to grow and care for trees for 3-5 years does have an impact on how many people we can reach through this program.
Q: How do I plant and care for my new tree?
A: Here are some great resources for basic tree care information.
Identification and Removal
Q: How do I know if I have a Callery pear?
A: Bradford and Cleveland Select are just two of 26 cultivars of the Callery pear. They can all be identified using Callery pear ID information available here.
Q: I want to remove Callery pear from my property. What is the best way to ensure it does not grow back?
A: Please see these Effective Control of Callery Pear instructions by Dr. Reid Smeda, MU Extension. More removal information is available here. For professional help, please refer to the Grow Native! Resource Guide listings for Arborists and Land Care & Landscape Services.
Q: Where can I get help having my Callery pear professionally removed?
A: Please refer to the Grow Native! Resource Guide listings for Arborists and Land Care & Landscape Services to find professionals in your area who can, for a fee, assist with tree removal. These companies support the Grow Native! mission to protect and restore biodiversity.
Q: There are Callery pear trees on public property. What can I do about them?
A: If you have concerns about Callery pears on public property, contact the relevant agency (MODOT, the county road department, the city, etc.).
Registration and Pick-Up
Q: How do I register?
A: When registration opens, follow these steps:
- Select the registration link for your specific location (see list above).
- Register in your location’s form (linked above).
- Select one tree type from the available tree species.
- After you are registered, click the link within the registration form to upload a photo.
- Pick-up details will be in the confirmation email. This includes the address, pick-up date, pick-up time, and any details relevant to your pick-up location.
Q: I cut down my Callery pear in the past year. Can I still get a native tree to replace it?
A: Yes, but the program rules still apply: register and submit a photo of the downed tree or cut stump, preferably with you in it.
Q: I live too far from any of the participating locations to make the trade worth it. Are any other locations doing a Buy-back?
A: On this page above, you can see this year’s participating locations. Each year, the Callery Pear Buy-back is more and more successful, and we continue to make a case for expanding the program to other parts of the state. Please consider hosting a location to help bring this event to your area!
Q: Where can I find pick up information for my location?
A: When you register, make sure to choose the registration link for your location. After you register, pick-up information will be in the confirmation email. This includes the address, pick-up date, pick-up time, and any details relevant to your pick-up location.
Q: I had problems registering or uploading a photo.
A: Email your information and tree photo to info@moinvasives.org and we will get you signed up.
