| The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) is partnering with the City of Blacksburg to help slow the spread of the invasive Callery pear tree in the region. Introduced as an ornamental landscape tree, the Callery pear and its cultivars took off in popularity due to their showy spring flowers. Unfortunately, these non-native trees have also taken off into our natural areas and are now considered one of the worst invasive plant species in the entire Southeast.
Building on the success of a similar event in Charlottesville last April, a one-day tree exchange event will be held in Blacksburg on Saturday, Nov. 2, to incentivize the removal of up to three Callery pear trees from your property. In exchange, participants will be given an equal number of native, young, healthy – and free – replacement trees. The exchange program is supported by federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law State Forest Action Plan funding. Pre-registration is required for this event .
Blacksburg Callery Pear Exchange
Saturday, Nov. 2
9 – 10:30 a.m.
Blacksburg Community Center
725 Patrick Henry Drive
Blacksburg, Virginia 24060
Register here: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/af6d4dd76b51407a95f171020464eced
Details for Blacksburg Exchange Event:
- For planning purposes, pre-registration is required .
- DOF staff will check you in and assist with loading trees when you arrive.
- This is an outdoor, “rain or shine” event.
- Open to Virginia residents, a native replacement tree will be provided for every Callery pear removed (one-for-one replacement, remove one, get one). Callery pear trees must be removed from your own property only and property owners are responsible for tree removal and any related costs. Replacement trees are limited to three per household.
- After you remove your tree, take a photo of your tree(s) after removal.
Ensure the tree is identifiable as a Callery pear (see info below, close-up shot of buds, leaves or fruit) and that the photo shows the tree after removal. Photos must be shown to event staff before picking up your new native trees (on your phone is fine).
- A variety of native tree species will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for those who have preregistered.
“Widely planted for decades and considered the perfect neighborhood tree, Callery pear trees aggressively spread to outcompete native trees, threaten ecosystems and are also prone to broken limbs during storms, which endangers homes, cars and property,” said Forest Health Program Manager Lori Chamberlin. “Help us diversify Virginia’s urban landscape and reduce the spread of invasives by planting native trees instead.”
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