VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — With spring comes many beautiful flowers and blooms throughout the community, however, some of those plants may bring some negative impacts to the area.
According to a release from the State of Indiana’s Cooperative Invasive Management Regional Specialist Amber Slaughterbeck, ornamental pear trees, also known as the Callery pear is an invasive species.
“Despite being ranked as a highly invasive plant species, it is still used across the state as an ornamental tree in landscaping and sold at nurseries,” Slaughterbeck explained.
According to the release, the trees were introduced to America in the early 1900s with the ‘Bradford’ and ‘Chanticleer’ pear being two of the more common types in the area. Slaughterbeck encourages people to work to ban the selling of the invasive pear tree species in Indiana and to also report any of the invasive pear species seen throughout the area.
“Ornamental pear trees are commonly spotted growing along roadsides, woodland edges, and in fallow farm fields,” Slaughterbeck said. “Callery pear is blooming now in Vigo County. This is a great time to map this invasive tree species on your land and plan for control at a later date.”
The release also provides a full description of the trees, how to identify them, alternatives that can be planted, and a QR code to a petition to ban the selling of the trees in the state.
For more information, read the release in full below. Or contact Amber Slaughterbeck by emailing her or calling 812-229-3539.
