By Trish Svoboda

A public hearing is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, to deliberate on the potential issuance of a permanent quarantine in regards to the Callery Pear trees.

The proposed quarantine, presented by the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA), would be applied statewide and would prohibit the transportation of seeds, plants, or any parts of Callery Pear trees, including those known as Bradford, Cleveland Select, Chanticleer, and others. The proposal would also prohibit trees resulting from grafting another species onto a Callery Pear rootstock.

Substantial public input received during the summer of 2023, supported the need for action due to the invasive nature of this tree and its tendency to spread beyond its intended planting areas. The quarantine is permissible under the provisions of K.S.A. 2-2117, allowing quarantine of plant pests.

While the KDA encourages the removal of invasive species found on both public and private lands, the proposed quarantine does not mandate the removal of Callery Pear trees already planted. Although the quarantine is set to take effect this year, the proposal includes a three-year grace period. Enforcement of the quarantine restrictions would begin on January 1, 2027.