The Missouri Invasive Plant Council, in partnership with Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, Forrest Keeling Nursery and the Missouri Department of Conservation will host a Callery (Bradford) pear “buyback” program in locations around the state on April 22. Homeowners are invited to cut down one or more Callery pear trees and receive one free, non-invasive tree at this event.

The MDC stated, in a press release, “We are excited by the enthusiastic response to this event in the past and want to make the free tree offer accessible to as many people as possible.”

To be eligible for one free native tree, participants must register and submit a photo of their cut-down Callery pear.

One free native tree will be provided to each registered participant at their selected location on the day of the event from 3 to 6 p.m. April 22. Registration is open through April 17.

Trees are limited. Some tree species at some locations will go quickly, so early registry is recommended. Find more information, exchange locations and register on the Missouri Invasive Plant Council website for the event, moinvasives.org/2025/01/31/2025-callery-pear-buyback/.