We hate to be the pearer of bad news, but your favorite springtime tree in Derby City is prohibited.
The early-blooming white flowers of the Bradford pear tree popping up around our lovely city isn’t necessarily something to celebrate. Those blooms are more of a warning sign than an indicator of spring.
Bradford pear trees, a cultivar of the Callery pear native to Asia, were introduced to the US in the early 20th century for their ornamental, symmetrical beauty. But don’t let their looks fool you — these trees are structurally weak + are quick to shed branches during heavy wind and rain.
Cindi Sullivan, the Executive Director of TreesLouisville said, “They’re aggressive and invasive and just not a good choice.” Sullivan also shared that they’re not technically allowed to be planted in Jefferson County because they’re listed as a prohibited species on the Master Tree List.
Recognizable for their white flowers and strong, distinctive smell, these beautiful-but-pesky trees cross-pollinate with other pear trees, producing harmful offspring that threaten the lives of native trees and create food deserts for birds. The invasive trees have white flowers and inch-long thorns capable of puncturing tires.
So what can we do? The best course of action is not to plan any new ones, but we’re not here to burst your beautiful springtime buds, here are four native trees Sullivan recommends planting instead.
- Serviceberry. This large shrub or small tree produces white flowers + blueberry-like fruits.
- Redbuds. Rosy pink flowers will appear in April.
- Sassafras. A larger tree that produces bright yellow spring flowers.
- Yellowwood. This hardy ornamental tree produces beautiful, dangling flowers.
Learn about 30 more recommended trees for Louisville here.
Bonus: What’s more delightful than planting trees? Planting trees that are free. Check out the TreesLouisville calendar for upcoming tree giveaways.
