If you live along the Pigeon Creek Watershed and have a Bradford Pear tree in your yard, there is still a week to remove the tree — and claim a free native tree to replace it.
The Pigeon Creek Watershed Development Commission (PCWDC) is funding this inaugural “Tree Swap” project — to reduce the number of these non-native invasive trees.
Bradford Pears produce cute bunches of white flowers, but are very invasive said Erin Shoup with the Vanderburgh County Soil and Water Conservation District.
“Most of them have already flowered for the spring, but they're a prolific seeder, so their seeds spread real easily, and then they grow up really fast. So the native trees often aren't fast enough to catch up with the bread for pears that grow fast.”
The Bradford Pear had been favored by landscape designers because of its ability to tolerate less-than ideal conditions.
However, according to the Michigan State University Extension, it’s susceptible to limb damage during storms, and those cute flowers smell pretty bad.
Some states have moved to block the sale of these trees such as Ohio and South Carolina.
The PCWDC is funding this project because forestry is part of their operating budget.
Participating homeowners just have to email a before and after photo to the Vanderburgh County Soil and Water Conservation District after the Bradford pear is removed, and include the number of trees removed.
“We'll replace it with a free native tree,” Shoup said. “So the offerings to pick from — are Redbud dogwoods and a couple of oak trees.”
Information can be found at the Vanderburgh County Soil and Water Conservation District Facebook page. The email for sending photos, and number of trees removed, is megan.kleck@in.nacdnet.net.
About half of the133 replacement trees are still available. Pickup is May second. There’s a limit of four replacement trees per household.
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