KANSAS CITY, 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 in Kansas City, Parkville, Liberty, and Warrensburg on April 21, from 3-6 p.m.

Kansas City tree pickup locations are:

• Kansas City - Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center (4750 Troost Ave.)
• Parkville - The Friends Shelter at Platte Landing Park (300 S. Main St)
• Liberty – Liberty Park Maintenance building (359 S Terrace Ave.)
• Warrensburg – University Farm (705 S. Mitchell St.)

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. Local contacts are listed on the website for each location.

Callery (Bradford) pears are an ornamental species that folks have enjoyed for years.  Despite their problematic issues, such as splitting in storms and an undesirable pungent aroma from the flowers, they are spreading throughout fields and forests. This spread is causing problems in urban and natural areas.  Cutting down existing pear trees helps control these invasive populations and choosing native species supports natural ecosystems.

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.