JL Johnson 
Hello. I hate invasive species. You should too. Last fall folks seemed to dig my rants about #BushHoneysuckle. So today I’ll rail against another species that doesn’t belong here and really pisses me off because it is destroying the #Midwest ecosystem: Callery or “Bradford” pear.
This garbage species originated in Asia. But it is “pretty”, so homeowners, landscapers and business buy and plant them. Nurseries sell them because $.
They are banned in some #Midwest states. The #MoLeg considered a ban but republicans hate regulation unless it’s on Women.
Like all invasive species, because it originated elsewhere, and is introduced here it lacks natural predators and disease. It out competes local species and escapes captivity to take over unkept areas, like a cancer.
This garbage plant supports zero species of caterpillar, and its fruit is sugary and lacking fat. Of course, we need plants that support caterpillars because birds need caterpillars. Even birds that eat seed feed their babies caterpillars. Callery pear fruit is like donuts— yummy and devoid of nutrition. The birds love it and are happy to spread the seed. #invasivespecies #callerypear #bradfordpear #Plantnative
Many states have Callery/bradford pear bounties. Google around for detail. Programs vary, but typically you just need a photo of a fresh cut bad guy and the state or a nonprofit will give you a native tree in exchange, for free. These terrible plants are a real problem. The first step is knowledge so please help spread the word. We need to evangelize native species.
Michael Schramm@User47 not even a great ornamental tree despite the white flowers. The blooms stink and branches are brittle. Pretty much the bottom of the list for trees I want in my yard.
@mpschramm amen! They are pretty for at most two weeks. It is funny to see folks whine when their bradfords shed limbs atop their giant trucks which won’t fit in the garage at the first snow storm of the year. So there’s that 😂
Darnell Clayton 
@User47 So those came from Asia‽ I assumed they were native to the United States 🇺🇸 because they are everywhere nowadays. Another plant that seems everywhere is bamboo 🎍, which I find growing in the oddest locations in America 🇺🇸.
@darnell yeah. It’s a sad state of affairs that if you see something doing really well there is a great chance it doesn’t belong here and has a competitive advantage against the things that do. 🙁
I can’t believe its not @twcau@User47 How is that pretty… 🙁
@twcau well, that’s a hot mess of an out of control grove. But just one against a manicured lawn, I can understand how they dig ‘em. Even with that natural tear drop shape. Anyway, kill it with fire. Literally. Because I chopped one down in my yard and the damn thing kept coming back