Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana) and its cultivars, like ‘Bradford’ and ‘Cleveland Select,’ have been popular in Kansas for their adaptability, spring flowers, fall color, and resistance to pests. However, weaknesses such as narrow crotch angles in ‘Bradford’ led to storm damage, prompting the release of improved cultivars. Cross-pollination between different cultivars has allowed the production of viable seeds, which are spread by birds, resulting in Callery pear becoming invasive across Kansas, from Kansas City to southeast Kansas.
Since 2018, the Kansas Forest Service has been systematically mapping these infestations to guide control efforts. To raise awareness, the service will host a Callery pear buy-back event in Manhattan, KS in 2025, with additional events planned for 2026. Participants can receive a free replacement tree.
To raise awareness about removing and replacing Callery pears, the Kansas Forest Service will host a buy-back event in Manhattan, KS, in the fall of 2025, open to all Kansas residents.
Additional buy-back events will be announced statewide in the spring of 2026. Kansans who remove a Callery pear tree in 2025 or 2026 can sign up to receive a free replacement tree.
