MoIP Calley Pear “BuyBack” Program Expanded to 15 Cities in 2024
Looking for a creative way to call attention to the threat that non-native, invasive Callery pear trees pose to Missouri, in 2019 the Missouri Invasive Plant Council (MoIP) launched the state’s—and perhaps the nation’s—first Callery Pear “BuyBack” program. This special event invited Missourians to cut down one or more Callery pear trees on their own property, submit a photo of their cut-down tree, and receive a free native tree to plant. Since that time, MoIP has annually grown the program, continually expanding the number of cities hosting a BuyBack event.
On April 23, 2024, in partnership with Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, Forrest Keeling Nursery, and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), MoIP organized Callery (Bradford) pear “buyback” events in 15 locations around the state. As participants picked up their free native tree, they also received information about the problem with invasive species, the benefits of native trees, and the importance of properly planting and caring for their new tree. A Grow Native! Resource Guide to Suppliers of Native Plant Products & Services was offered to participants as well, and, if requested, a “I removed my invasive Callery pear and planted a native tree instead” yard sign to let the participants’ neighbors know the importance of their landscaping change. A 2023 grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation provided financial support for MoIP’s 2024 Callery Pear Buyback program.
The program, which began in Columbia and St. Louis, has expanded through the years to also include Cape Girardeau, Springfield, Joplin, Lebanon, Hannibal, Farmington, Kennett, Rolla, West Plains, Kirksville, and St. Joseph. Collectively, these locations gave away 630 trees, with any leftover trees going straight into the ground at parks, schools, and other local places where the public and native species that depend on native trees can benefit from their presence for many decades to come.
In addition, thanks to a partnership with the organization Deep Roots KC, which has followed MoIP’s lead and organized its own BuyBack event in the Kansas City area in Missouri and Kansas, an additional 200 trees were given away. Since 2019, cities around the country have sought advice from MoIP on how to start their own Callery Pear BuyBack events.
