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March 25, 2024St. Joseph, Mo. |  By: Tanner DeHaven

MDC looking at buyback program for invasive trees

Callery pear tree

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - While the picturesque sight of white-blooming trees lining St. Joseph's roadways may captivate many, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is sounding a cautionary note.

Despite their aesthetic appeal, the Callery pear trees offer little ecological value to local wildlife.

Classified as non-native and invasive, Callery pears emit an unpleasant odor and possess weak limb structures, rendering them unsuitable for birds and insects.

In response to this concern, the MDC is collaborating with various environmental organizations across Missouri to initiate a Callery pear "buyback" program.

Under this program, residents with Callery pear trees on their properties can opt to remove them in exchange for a complimentary native tree.

These native trees will be available for pickup at the Remington Nature Center parking lot on April 23, from 3-6 p.m.

To participate, individuals must register in advance. For registration or further details, interested parties are encouraged to contact the Remington Nature Center at 816-271-5499.