I don’t mean to rant. God forbid I should turn these posts into something all ten of you scroll past.
But let’s talk about the white blossoms invading our landscapes, shall we? Everywhere I look, I see white flowers. Is it the flowering dogwood? No. It’s the infamous Bradford Pear or Callery Pear tree.
Every spring, my wife gears up for my incessant griping.
“Look at it.” We’re driving down the road. “It’s awful. I can’t believe we’ve allowed all these trees to take over everywhere.”
“Mhmm.”
“I wish landowners would bulldoze all of them down.”
“Uh-huh.”
“They’re a blight on the earth. I dread seeing their bombastic white blossoms every spring.”
Some of them must’ve heard me. Because I’ve noticed that several acres of land that seemed dedicated to being a Callery Pear tree forest are no longer inhabited by the eyesore.
“Oh, it’s springtime. Just enjoy the beauty.” No, thank you.
I have nothing but an extreme dislike for the Bradford Pear tree. It’s an invasive species in Southern Missouri. It is a tree epidemic.
At what point in history did we become so dissatisfied with the redbud or dogwood tree that we had to bring in a pear tree that won’t produce any pears?
Somebody got one, then somebody else thought it was pretty, and they needed one, too. And it was cheap. This is how a tree took over the entire southern Missouri countryside.
And if you think I’m wrong or exaggerating, please visit https://mdc.mo.gov/trees-plants/invasive-plants/callery-pear-control.
And if you need any help, I’ll bring my flame thrower. (Not really.) The fake pear tree epidemic has gotten to the point where the MDC offered free replacement trees to those who would cut their BP trees down. https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2022/04/18/bradford-pears-continue-plague-missouri-mdc-offers-free-replacements/7356285001/
I know that trees can be pricey, and I don’t know if this is legal, but I see redbud trees down almost every dirt road I travel. If I needed a beautiful tree to adorn my yard, I’d pack my shovel and spade and acquire a little redbud tree from a ditch beside a dirt road.
For the love of all that’s good, get rid of those dreadful fake pear trees.
to the local friends and neighbors,
– Caleb
caneymountainblog.com 