Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana)

• See MISIN species profile
• Other common cultivars: Cleveland pear and Bradford pear - all three were orginially introduced to North America as ornamental trees. 

What problems does callery pear cause?
While its early season blooms may appear pretty from a distance, shortly after, clusters of berries are consumed by birds and dropped outside of established landscape areas. Like most invasive plants on the Top 12 list for the region, callery pear replaces native plants in high quality natural areas, which in turn reduces critical food resources for much of our regional native wildlife and pollinators. 

​What does callery pear look like?
Callery pear can grow 30-50 feet tall and 20-30 feet wide, with the overall shape of the tree often described as a "tear drop". It has simple, alternate leaves that are quite glossy, turning a bright red, yellow, or orange in the fall. Flowers appear early in the spring, often before leaves grow. There are five, white petals - seeds follow a few weeks later. 
 
How do I manage callery pear?
Callery pear seedlings and shallow-rooted plants can be pulled when soil is moist. Dig small trees up or pull out, ensuring removal of the root system. If the entire root system is not removed, new plants will most likely return within the current or following growing season. If cutting is not possible, trees can be girdled during the spring and summer, by cutting through the bark all around the trunk, about 6 inches above the ground. Large trees should be cut down and stumps treated with an appropriate systemic herbicide such as glyphosate of triclopyr. For herbicide information, please contact ISN directly. 

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