PA Announces Ban On Invasive, Destructive Tree

PENNSYLVANIA — Pennsylvania has announced a ban on another invasive species of vegetation that is devastating to native ecosystems: the Callery pear.

Commonly known as Bradford pear, the fruit tree has been added to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's list of noxious weeds, which means it cannot be sold or cultivated in the state.

Officials said it's the latest in a long line of plants brought to America for their "beauty and rapid growth" without any consideration for the devastating ecological impacts.

"Banning the sale of an invasive plant is an important tool to stop its spread and is a step we take only after careful consideration of the damage it causes and its potential for continued harm to our ecosystem and economy," Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said in a statement.

Callery pear swiftly spreads out from its planted landscapes, crowding out native plants and interrupting the native ecosystem, leading to rippling effects in the food chain and food supply that have lasting consequences. It sprouts easily in woodlands, pastures, fields, and other natural areas.

The ban on the plant will begin on Feb. 9, 2022, and enforcement of the ban will gradually be phased in over the next two years.

The tree was initially brought to America in the early 1900s from China and Vietnam by researchers, who also noted the possibility that it was resistant to fire and blight.

Property owners should take steps to control the spread of the tree. The state offers ideas for native alternatives and information on how to control the plant online here.