Pear Buyback | Missouri Invasive Plant Council

Pear Buyback | Missouri Invasive Plant Council
Pear Buyback
The Missouri Invasive Plant Council (MoIP), in partnership with the Missouri Community Forestry Council, Magnificent Missouri, Forrest Keeling Nursery, Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, the Missouri Prairie Foundation, and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), hosts an annual Callery (Bradford) pear “buyback” program in locations around the state. Homeowners are invited to cut down one or more Callery pear trees and receive one free, non-invasive tree at this event.
To be eligible for one free native tree, participants must register and submit a photo of their cut-down Callery pear(s). One free native tree will be provided to each registered participant at the selected location on the day of the event.
Jump To:
Contact Information
FAQs
Registration is closed for 2026. Registrants, find your pick-up location at the link below.
Pick up your tree April 21, 3-6pm.
After completing your registration, if you need to find your pick-up location,
click here
Registration was open from March 16 to April 16. During the registration period, if you still need to email a photo of your cut-down Callery pear tree(s), email it to
[email protected]
Plan Ahead
Now is the time to plan to take part in this program, starting with
identifying Callery pear
trees on your property and considering whether you might hire a professional to help cut down the trees.
Callery pear trees (
Pyrus calleryana
) include 26 cultivars (including Cleveland and Bradford pear) that present significant ecological concerns in Missouri. Callery pear limbs generally grow vertically, forming a pyramid or egg shape.
Mature trees reach heights of 30-40 feet. When removing trees near buildings or fences, homeowners may want to consider professional assistance. Please refer to the Grow Native! Resource Guide listings for
Arborists
and
Land Care & Landscape Services
to find professionals in your area who can assist with tree removal.
Identification of the trees is easy when they are blooming. Typically in early April, very dense clusters of white flowers cover the tree before leaves form.
MoIP is grateful to the Missouri Community Forestry Council the L-A-D Foundation, and Magnificent Missouri for their financial support of the 2026 Callery Pear Buyback Program, as well as to Forrest Keeling Nursery and Forest ReLeaf of Missouri for tree donations. Financial and administrative support also comes from the Missouri Prairie Foundation and Missouri Department of Conservation.
2026 Locations & Tree Species
Below is the list of locations participating in the 2026 Pear Buyback. Underneath each location is a list of the tree species that will be available at that select location. Quantities of each tree are extremely limited and orders come in quickly, so it is not guaranteed the tree you want will be available to you.
Cape Girardeau
Black Chokeberry
Cherrybark Oak
Red Maple
Riverbirch
Silky Dogwood
Willow Oak
Columbia
Black Chokeberry
Blackgum
Carolina Buckthorn
Deciduous Holly
N Red Oak
Red Maple
Swamp White Oak
Redbud
PawPaw
Doniphan
Blackgum
Red Maple
Silky Dogwood
Willow Oak
Hannibal
Blackgum
Eastern Ninebark
Overcup Oak
Red Maple
Jefferson City
Bur Oak
Carolina Buckthorn
Cherrybark Oak
Eastern Ninebark
OH Buckeye
Pecan
Red Maple
Silky Dogwood
Joplin
Blackgum
Deciduous Holly
Elderberry
N Red Oak
Red Maple
Swamp White Oak
Kansas City
Blackgum
Elderberry
Hackberry
N Red Oak
Kentucky Coffeetree
Swamp White Oak
Redbud
PawPaw
Kirksville
Hackberry
Riverbirch
Swamp White Oak
Sweetgum
Redbud
Lebanon
Blackgum
Elderberry
White Oak
Liberty
Chinkapin Oak
Eastern Ninebark
Hackberry
KY Coffeetree
Red Maple
Riverbirch
Silky Dogwood
Swamp White Oak
Moberly
Deciduous Holly
N Red Oak
Red Maple
Sandbar Willow
Park Hills
Black Chokeberry
Blackgum
Cherrybark Oak
Red Maple
Riverbirch
Silky Dogwood
Parkville
Eastern Ninebark
Elderberry
Hackberry
KY Coffeetree
N Red Oak
Red Maple
Riverbirch
Sandbar Willow
Pineville
Blackgum
Swamp White Oak
Redbud
PawPaw
Riverside
Deciduous Holly
Hackberry
N Red Oak
Red Maple
Rolla
Blackgum
Deciduous Holly
Eastern Ninebark
Red Maple
Swamp White Oak
Redbud
PawPaw
Sikeston
Blackgum
Cherrybark Oak
Riverbirch
Silky Dogwood
Springfield
Blackgum
Deciduous Holly
N Red Oak
OH Buckeye
Red Maple
Silky Dogwood
Swamp White Oak
Redbud
PawPaw
St. Charles
Blackgum
Deciduous Holly
OH Buckeye
Red Maple
Swamp White Oak
St. Joseph
Chinkapin Oak
Deciduous Holly
Riverbirch
White Oak
St. Louis
Blackgum
Carolina Buckthorn
Deciduous Holly
Hackberry
KY Coffeetree
N Red Oak
Red Maple
Swamp White Oak
Redbud
PawPaw
Warrensburg
Carolina Buckthorn
Cherrybark Oak
Deciduous Holly
N Red Oak
Red Maple
West Plains
Blackgum
Elderberry
Red Maple
Shortleaf Pine
Swamp White Oak
Redbud
PawPaw
Contact Information
Contacts for media (news, radio, TV, and social media) as well as general public inquiries for each 2026 location.
Cape Girardeau, MO: Jennifer Behnken,
[email protected]
, (573) 290-5730 ex. 4421
Columbia, MO: Maddie Est,
[email protected]
, (573) 416-3172
Doniphan, MO: Kirby VanDover,
[email protected]
, 573-996-7116 ext. 3 (leave a message if not available)
Hannibal, MO: Kristy Trevathan,
[email protected]
, 573-248-6581
Jefferson City, MO: Angela Sokolowski,
[email protected]
, (573) 522-4115 ex. 3641
Joplin, MO: Jon Skinner,
[email protected]
, (417) 629-3434 ex. 4543
Kansas City, MO: Taylor Neff,
[email protected]
, (816) 759-7305 ex. 1138
Kirksville, MO: Yvette Amerman,
[email protected]
Lebanon, MO: Jon Skinner,
[email protected]
, (417) 629-3434 ex. 4543
Liberty, MO: Tom Garland,
[email protected]
, (816) 439-4384
Moberly, MO: Sam Kosark,
[email protected]
, (660) 263-1169 ext. 3105
Park Hills, MO: Jennifer Behnken,
[email protected]
, (573) 290-5730 ex. 4421
Parkville, MO: Brittanie Propes,
[email protected]
, (816) 741-7676
Pineville, MO: Jon Skinner,
[email protected]
, (417) 629-3434 ex. 4543
Riverside, MO: Noel Bennion,
[email protected]
, (816) 451-8227
Rolla, MO: Pam Barnabee,
[email protected]
, (573) 647-3465
Sikeston, MO: Jennifer Behnken,
[email protected]
, (573) 290-5730 ex. 4421
Springfield, MO: Jon Skinner,
[email protected]
, (417) 629-3434 ex. 4543
St. Charles, MO: Wendi Martin,
[email protected]
, (636) 442-3836
St. Joseph, MO: Timothy Wolfe,
[email protected]
, (816) 271-3111, ext. 1437
St. Louis, MO: Billy Haag,
[email protected]
, (314) 533-5323
Warrensburg, Vernon Elsberry,
[email protected]
, (660) 747-5394
West Plains, MO: Valarie Kurre,
[email protected]
, (417) 708-6497
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Free Tree
Q: I removed multiple Callery pear trees. How many native trees can I get?
A: One. We encourage you to cut down multiple Callery pears, but each household can receive 1 free tree. The goal of this event is to educate the public about the problems of the invasive Callery pear. To reach the most people, our resources are limited to one native tree per household. The cost to grow and distribute trees is covered by nonprofits who need your support to reach more people. Please consider donating to help fund future events!
Q: Does the free tree have to replace the Callery pear?
A: We prefer not to call it a replacement tree because the tree species you choose could be planted in a different location. You might want to choose a tree with a completely different height, appearance, and function. For example, you might choose a tall oak that provides shade to your house and acorns to feed wildlife.
Q: Which species of native trees can I choose from, and how do I select one?
A: You will get to select a species preference during registration. Choose your location, register via the linked form, and follow the prompts to view and select your tree species available for your location. Then, click the link within the form to upload a photo through a separate form.
Our partners in this program,
Forest ReLeaf of Missouri
and
Forrest Keeling Nursery
, work hard to donate a good selection of tree species that will grow to a variety of heights, including small, medium, and tall canopy trees. The selection of trees also provides a range of benefits to homeowners and native species, including beautiful spring flowers, colorful fall leaves, and/or food for wildlife.
Q: Why are the trees so small?
A: The native trees available are young trees in 3-gallon containers that stand about 2-4 feet tall. This size was selected by tree professionals as the best size for you and your tree. It is less stressful on the tree to plant it when it is smaller, and survival rates of trees are better at this size. Trees at this size are manageable for people to lift, take home in their vehicles, dig the right size of hole for, and plant. Additionally, the cost to grow and care for trees for 3-5 years does have an impact on how many people we can reach through this program.
Q: How do I plant and care for my new tree?
A: Here are some great resources for basic tree care information.
Right Tree in the Right Place
How to Plant a Tree
Tree Maintenance Timetable
Identification & Removal
Q: How do I know if I have a Callery pear?
A: Bradford and Cleveland Select are just two of 26 cultivars of the Callery pear. They can all be identified using Callery pear ID information
available here
Q: I want to remove Callery pear from my property. What is the best way to ensure it does not grow back?
A: Please see these
Effective Control of Callery Pear
instructions by Dr. Reid Smeda, MU Extension. More removal information is
available here
. For professional help, please refer to the Grow Native! Resource Guide listings for
Arborists
and
Land Care & Landscape Services
Q: Where can I get help having my Callery pear professionally removed?
A: Please refer to the Grow Native! Resource Guide listings for
Arborists
and
Land Care & Landscape Services
to find professionals in your area who can, for a fee, assist with tree removal. These companies support the Grow Native! mission to protect and restore biodiversity.
Q: There are Callery pear trees on public property. What can I do about them?
A: If you have concerns about Callery pears on public property, contact the relevant agency (MODOT, the county road department, the city, etc.).
Registration & Pick-Up
Q: How do I register?
A: When registration opens, follow these steps:
Register.
Click the registration link.
Select one tree type from the available tree species
at your specific location.
Complete the registration form.
Email a photo.
Email a photo of you and your cut-down Callery (Bradford) pear tree to
[email protected]
Pick up your tree on the designated date and time.
Pick-up details will be in the confirmation email. This includes the address, pick-up date, pick-up time, and any details relevant to your pick-up location.
Q: I cut down my Callery pear in the past year. Can I still get a native tree to replace it?
A: Yes, but the program rules still apply: register and submit a photo of the downed tree or cut stump, preferably with you in it.
Q: I live too far from any of the participating locations to make the trade worth it. Are any other locations doing a Buy-back?
A: On this page above, you can see this year’s participating locations. Each year, the Callery Pear Buy-back is more and more successful, and we continue to make a case for expanding the program to other parts of the state. Please consider hosting a location to help bring this event to your area!
Q: Where can I find pick-up information for my location?
A:
Choose your location here
to see your pick-up address and any details relevant to your pick-up location.
Q: I had problems registering.
A: Email your information and tree photo to
[email protected]
or contact your local contact listed above, and we will get you signed up.
Q: I am not able to make the pick-up time/date. Can I send someone in my place?
A: Yes, you may send someone else to pick up your tree. If you know in advance, please include their name in the registration. If not, please alert your location’s point of contact if possible.
Past Pear Buybacks
Take a look at details from our past buyback programs, such as trees and locations offered, in the lists below.
Past Buyback Info Pages
2025 Pear Buyback Info Page
2024 Pear Buyback Info Page
2023 Pear Buyback Info Page
2022 Pear Buyback Info Page
2019 Pear Buyback Info Page
Past Buyback Success Stories
2025 Pear Buyback Success Story
2024 Pear Buyback Success Story