A new season has come upon us, and it comes with the blooming of many pollen related plants like flowers or different kinds of weeds. Although, more importantly, the aggravating Callery pear trees also began to bloom. Their white flowers may come with a delicate charm that encourages the planting of these trees, but behind this façade lies a deceptive and destructive reality; Callery pears suck.
These trees were originally brought to the US as an ornamental tree in 1909, but quickly gained popularity due to the rapid growth, attractive flowers, and the tolerance of the urban conditions it must live in. What was initially seen as a landscaping blessing, however, has quickly morphed into an ecological nightmare.
The most pressing issue is the invasive nature of the Callery pears. Unlike their cultivated forerunners, wild Callerys produce fruit, which feeds readily available birds who quickly eat the fruit and disperse the seeds. This has led to the rapid dispersion of trees into natural areas, roadsides, and abandoned fields. Their thicket is nearly impenetrable, and it hinders the growth of native saplings and disrupts the natural ecosystem process.
Beyond the ecological damage, Callery pears are also structurally weak. The branches are tightly packed to appear strong, yet they’re known for their breakage during storms. This causes a significant safety hazard with the branches. They carry the threat of damaging property or even getting someone hurt, as well as causing substantial road blockage the next morning after the departure of the storm.
Adding to their offenses, these trees produce copious amounts of pollen and heavily contribute to the seasonal allergies everyone experiences. While the visual display is brief, the pollen they release is not. The sheer volume of pollen this tree produces, along with the velocity of the wind and the distance this pollen is carried, makes this tree completely undesirable!
Instead of planting Callery pears, you should consider the native alternatives like oak, maple, dogwood, and serviceberry trees. They offer beautiful blooms, provide habitat for animals, and are less likely to cause ecological harm. The removal of Callery pears is essential, and according to USA Today, landowners can be reimbursed $60 per acre for treating their land to stop the spread of this species.
Concludingly, Callery pears serve as a reminder that our landscaping choices have substantial consequences. It’s time to look past the manipulating façade these trees have and face the facts; these trees need to go. Our spring should be landscapes truly beneficial, not just superficially appealing.
