Public starting to consider Bradford Pear trees as invasive

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)-With weather like this, it certainly feels like Spring is already in full swing!

 One early bloomer will catch your attention… Bradford Pear trees.  

“Right now when you look outside, they are in pretty much every neighborhood here in our region,” said Jen Clemmer, Signal Mountain Nursery. “They are tall, beautiful blooming flowers right now.” 

 The Bradford pear was introduced to the United States in the 19-hundreds. 

 These white flowering trees are native to China and Vietnam. 

Jen Clemmer with the Signal Mountain Nursery calls these flowering trees invasive. 

“They are so invasive because they grow quickly and they are able to reproduce and they are not only in the places that we want them like where they were planted in yards 50 years ago, they actually are popping up,” said Clemmer. “You’ll see them when you are driving around town and you will see them in wild areas as well.”

 According to the Home and Garden Center, Bradford Pear Tree can grow up to 15 feet tall over a  10-year period.

 Clemmer says these flowers can also have an unpleasant smell. 

 “They kind of smelly and they are invasive in this area, so they take off and they grow really quickly,” Clemmer said. “They do not have many pest.” 

Tree experts recommend The best time to remove a Bradford pear is earlier in the season, as they are notoriously vulnerable to storm damage. 

 Clemmer encourages people to look at other tree options instead of Bradfords. 

“There are great other choices out there besides the Bradford pear, so if you want something that blooms early and is a stunning specimen in your landscape, there are other options that will even smell great too,” Clemmer said. “Other flowers will provide benefits for the environment and for your home landscape to.”