Missouri’s Deal: Remove Invasive Pear, Get a Native Tree

There is a tree that is common in Missouri that is an imposter. It looks pleasant enough, but it's not native to Missouri and the state is offering you a reward if you remove it.

The Missouri Department of Conservation has just shared a press release about a special program they have over the next few weeks where they provide an incentive to get rid of invasive pear trees aka Bradford pears. The MDOC has teamed up with the Missouri Invasive Plant Council (MoIP), the Missouri Community Forestry Council, Magnificent Missouri, Forrest Keeling Nursery, Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, and the Missouri Prairie Foundation to offer a buyback program of sorts for invasive pears. It's the 2026 Callery Pear Buyback Program.

How does this Missouri invasive pear buyback program work?

First, you need to register at the Missouri Department of Conservation site between now and April 16, 2026. Then you can pick up one native tree per registration on April 21, 2026 between 3p and 6p at designated locations in:

• Cape Girardeau
• Columbia
• Doniphan
• Hannibal
• Jefferson City
• Joplin
• Kansas City
• Kirksville
• Lebanon
• Liberty
• Moberly
• Park Hills
• Parkville
• Pineville
• Riverside
• Rolla
• Sikeston
• Springfield
• St. Charles
• St. Joseph
• St. Louis
• Warrensburg
• West Plains

What's the problem with Bradford pear trees?

These invasive pear trees are dangerous during storms as branches often break off. Many of them also have thorns and smell bad. You can find out more about how Missouri is trying to get rid of them on the Missouri Department of Conservation website.