KIRKSVILLE, MO. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is partnering with the Missouri Invasive Plant Council, Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, and Forrest Keeling Nursery to host a Callery Pear Buyback Event on April 21, from 3-6 p.m. at Central Park (500 Broadway) in Hannibal, MDC’s Northeast Regional Office (3500 S. Baltimore Street) in Kirksville, and at Riley Pavilion at Rothwell Park (Rothwell Park Road) in Moberly.

Participants who remove a Callery pear tree on their property will receive a free, native tree in return. To be eligible, participants must register online March 16 through April 16 and submit a photo of their cut down Callery pear. One free native tree will be provided to each registered participant at the pick-up event on April 21 with a limit of one free native tree per household. Register at http://short.mdc.mo.gov/oiB. 

Mature Callery pear trees can reach heights of 30-40 feet, and their limbs generally grow vertically, forming a pyramid or egg shape. During their blooming period, often in early April, the trees will have very dense clusters of white flowers that cover the tree before leaves form. Learn more about Callery pear trees at http://short.mdc.mo.gov/4MJ.