Callery Pear Tree

Callery Pear

Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana) is an ornamental pear tree native to China, Korea, and Taiwan. It is invasive across the Eastern United States and is spreading westward. It is one of the most widely used landscaping trees in the United States, despite its status as an invasive species. Varieties include popular cultivars Bradford Pear, Redspire, and Cleveland Select. The Bradford cultivar was introduced to the United States in 1908 in an unsuccessful attempt to produce pear trees resistant to the fire blight disease. Over 20 ornamental cultivars have been developed since the 1950s. The trees are fast-growing, have small fruit, and white blooms in the spring. Because of their ability to cross-pollinate, escape cultivation, and spread rapidly in wild and disturbed areas, Callery pear trees should not be planted and existing trees should be removed. The Callery pear has become so problematic that many states now hold tree bounties to encourage their removal.