Further Reading
• Columbia, Missouri's "Stop the Spread" Campaign
• CITY TREES Roundtable: "Pyrus, We Have a Problem"
• Missouri Invasive Plant Task Force (MoIP)
Invasive Plant Assessment & Maps
• Pledge to Stop the Spread of Invasive Plant Species
Although 93 native trees were
provided as a trade-in to indi-
viduals happy to rid their
landscapes of ornamental
pears, the real value of this
program was in the messaging.
Over 12,500 engagements
were made on social media
which translated into more
than 158,500 social media
impressions! Radio and televi-
sion also broadcasted stories
about this innovative program.
This conventional and social
media reach was a welcomed
victory, since the urgency to
alert the general public to the
consequences of this rapidly
spreading exotic plant pest is
intensifying every day. In empty
lots and along roadsides where
mowing isn't happening regularly,
Callery pear takes over within
just a few years. In addition to
the increased economic costs of
vegetation management prob-
lems in transportation/utility
corridors, Callery pear progeny
can cause ecological damage to
native prairies and wetlands.
The news may be getting worse,
as recent data from Ohio sug-
gests that forests are also at risk.
University of Cincinnati Biologist
Theresa Culley has warned that
in some parts of Ohio, Callery
pear has taken a significant
foothold in many woodlots.
You can follow The Culley Lab's
work on Callery pear here.
While many States in the U.S.
implore residents not to plant
Callery pear, this is only the
second buy-back program that
MoIP is aware of (Fayetteville,
Arkansas was first), and
it's hoped it will serve as a
model for other regions.
Local news station KSDK came to report on the event.
Homeowners were encouraged to bring their kids to the buy-back event.
32 CityTREES
