Have you ever heard of the Callery pear? These trees bloom with white flowers in the spring and often emit a strong, unpleasant odor. You may have seen them outside homes or along walkways without giving them much thought.
However, in an unexpected turn of events, this popular tree, commonly found throughout the Chicago area, will soon be illegal to sell or grow.
According to NBC Chicago, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has added the Callery pear, also known as the Bradford pear, to the Illinois Exotic Weeds Act, as announced in October.
These invasive trees are currently blooming all around the region and are now spreading into natural areas.
Callery pear is native to Asia. It was introduced to the U.S. as the cultivar ‘Bradford’ for use in research. It was considered as a potential means to develop resistance to fire blight in edible pears. ‘Bradford’ was then also introduced as an ornamental tree and was widely planted.
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Now, decades later, it has been classified as an “exotic weed.” This change occurred because, although the trees are not “self-fertile,” they unexpectedly began cross-pollinating with other pear trees.
The invasive weed designation will take effect on January 1, 2028, allowing nurseries and growers time to reduce their inventory and adjust accordingly. After this date, these trees will no longer be available for purchase in Illinois.
