Vanderburgh County Bradford Pear Tree Exchange

The Vanderburgh County Soil and Water Conservation District is offering homeowners a deal that could help restore native habitat across Evansville and beyond.

If you live in the Pigeon Creek watershed and remove a Bradford Pear tree from your property, the district will replace it with a native tree at no cost.

Why Bradford Pear Trees Are A Problem In Indiana

Also known as Callery Pears, Bradford Pears were introduced to the United States in 1917 and quickly became a landscaping favorite thanks to their fast growth and showy white blooms.

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But those blooms come with a smell many describe as rotting fish, and the problems go far beyond fragrance.

Bradford Pears are considered invasive in Indiana. While individual cultivars are self-sterile, different varieties can cross-pollinate, producing viable seeds that birds spread into fields and forests. The result is dense thickets that crowd out native plants and reduce food sources for pollinators and wildlife.

They also bloom earlier than many native trees, shading out seedlings before they have a chance to establish. Add in the weak branch structure that makes them prone to splitting in high winds, and you have a tree that raises both ecological and storm-damage concerns across the Midwest.

How The Exchange Program Works

To qualify, you must live within the Pigeon Creek watershed.

Homeowners can receive up to four replacement trees per address after providing proof that their Bradford Pear has been removed. Replacement options include native species like redbud, dogwood, post oak, and swamp white oak.

Tree pickup is scheduled for May 2 from 9 to 11 am at Wesselman Park Shelter House 1 in Evansville.

Residents can call 812-423-4426 extension 3, or send an email to Megan.klenck@in.nacdnet.net with their address and proof of removal, according to the Vanderburgh County Soil & Water Conservation District.

Removing invasive species and replacing them with natives helps strengthen biodiversity across Vanderburgh County and supports healthier ecosystems in Indiana, and beyond.

7 Invasive Insects in Indiana You Should Kill Immediately If You See Them

In an effort to inform the public on the types of invasive species that are known to be found in their state, the USDA offers a "Pest Tracker" on their website, where you simply click the name of your state from the drop-down menu provided to see pictures of the different insects and weeds, along with descriptions of the type of plant life they target and the damage they can do if they're not dealt with.

Gallery Credit: Ryan O'Bryan