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Invasive Plants: Bradford Pear

Updated: Jul 20, 2020


Right now you can see them growing everywhere that they were NOT intentionally planted. They stand out now while they are in full bloom along every highway and shrubby edge where they have spread. They may look pretty, but are incredibly invasive plants. Originally from Asia, they will grow in any kind of soil conditions, which made them appealing to the landscape industry. But in their native habitat they are much more sparsely distributed, and do not reproduce as quickly as they do here in the States where we plant them in great masses together. Besides the fact that they are invasive, push out native plants, and do not support nearly the amount of wildlife as native trees do, they also very easily break under heavy loads of snow and high winds. One of my neighbors has been trying to hold hers together with giant bolts for years. The Bradford pear is considered so invasive that many states have banned its sale. Some counties will even offer free native trees in exchange for cutting down Bradford Pears. PLEASE do not purchase one, and if you have some, consider replacing them sooner rather than later. If you would like a deep dive on the history of the Bradford pear there is a great article: https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/scientists-thought-they-had-created-the-perfect-tree-but-it-became-a-nightmare/



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