You will no longer be able to get the Callery Pear in Ohio

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Published on

December 20, 2022

Callery Pear sales are coming to an END. As of January 7th, 2023, Callery Pear, Pyrus calleryana and its cultivars will no longer be able to be bought or sold in Ohio. This is the end of the 5 year grace period set forth by the Ohio Department of Agriculture from January 7th, 2018.

The reason? Callery Pear's tendency to be invasive.

Ohio Administrative Code, Rule 901:5-30-01 Invasive Plant Species, Effective: January 7, 2018 states the following:

(A) In order to protect native plant species and thwart the growth of invasive plant species, the

director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture pursuant to section 901.50 of the Revised Code

hereby declares the plants listed in paragraphs (A)(1) to (A)(38) of this rule as invasive plants. The

invasive plants are first designated by the plant's botanical name and then by the plants common

name. The botanical name is the official designation for the plant.

(1) Ailanthus altissima, tree-of-heaven;

(2) Alliaria petiolata, garlic mustard

(3) Berberis vulgaris, common barberry;

(4) Butomus umbellatus, flowering rush;

(5) Celastrus orbiculatus, oriental bittersweet;

(6) Centaurea stoebe ssp. Micranthos, spotted knapweed;

(7) Dipsacus fullonum, common teasel;

(8) Dipsacus laciniatus, cutleaf teasel;

(9) Egeria densa Brazilian, elodea;

(10) Elaeagnus angustifolia, russian olive;

(11) Elaeagnus umbellata, autumn olive;

(12) Epilobium hirsutum; hairy willow herb;

(13) Frangula alnus, glossy buckthorn;

(14) Heracleum mantegazzianum, giant hogweed;

(15) Hesperis matronlis, dame's rocket;

(16) Hydrilla verticillata, hydrilla;

(17) Hydrocharis morsus-ranae, european frog-bit;

(18) Lonicera japonica, japanese honeysuckle;

(19) Lonicera maackii, amur honeysuckle;

(20) Lonicera morrowii, morrow's honeysuckle;

(21) Lonicera tatarica, tatarian honeysuckle;

(22) Lythrum salicaria, purple loosestrife;

(23) Lythrum virgatum, european wand loosestrife;

(24) Microstegium vimineum, japanese stiltgrass;

(25) Myriophyllum aquaticum, parrotfeather;

(26) Myriophyllum spicatum, eurasian water-milfoil;

(27) Nymphoides peltata, yellow floating heart;

(28) Phragmites australis, common reed;

(29) Potamogeton crispus, curly-leaved pondweed;

(30) Pueraria montana var. lobate, kudzu;

(31) Pyrus calleryana, callery pear;

(32) Ranunculus ficaria, fig buttercup/lesser celandine;

(33) Rhamnus cathartica, european buckthorn;

(34) Rosa multiflora; multiflora rose

(35) Trapa natans, water chestnut;

(36) Typha angustifolia, narrow-leaved cattail;

(37) Typha x glauca, hybrid cattail; and

(38) Vincetoxicum nigrum, black dog-strangling vine, black swallowwort.

(B) Except as provided in paragraphs (C) and (D) of this rule, no person shall sell, offer for sale,

propagate, distribute, import or intentionally cause the dissemination of any invasive plant as

defined in paragraph (A) of this rule in the state of Ohio.

(1) Lythrum virgatum, european wand loosestrife until one year after the effective date of this rule.

(2) Pyrus calleryana, callery pear until five year after the effective date of this rule.

(D) A person may conduct the following activities with the species listed in paragraphs (A)(1) to

(A)(38) of this rule in a manner that does not result in the further spread of those species:

(1) Dispose of the plant;

(2) Controlling the plant; and

(3) Using the plant for research or educational purposes pursuant to a compliance agreement issued

by the department.

(E) The director of the Ohio department of agriculture or his authorized representative may seize,

order removed from sale, or order destroyed any plant described in paragraph (A) of this rule which

has been found in violation of paragraph (B) of this rule.

(F) The director may exempt a cultivar of any invasive plant species defined in paragraph (A) of this

rule if scientific evidence is presented that the cultivar is not invasive.

So what does this mean?

A nursey with remaining Callery Pears or its cultivars in stock will not be able to wholesale these trees.

A garden center with carry-over stock from last year will not be able to sell these trees. It will also be illegal for a homeowner or landscaper to purchase these trees and install them.

Existing trees do not require removal.

The goal of the revised code is to limit the continued spread of Callery Pear in nature.

Research has demonstrated that the various cultivars of P. calleryana can cross pollinate and produce viable offspring.

While the invasiveness of this plant can vary from location to location in Ohio, Callery pear can now be observed growing along roadsides,

fence rows,

disturbed sites and woodlands.

Time to say goodbye to Callery Pear!

If you are looking for alternatives, consider checking out the following BYGL posts:

Street Trees of Ohio – Articles

Street Trees of Ohio – What’s your favorite?

https://bygl.osu.edu/index.php/node/1718

Street Trees – Part 1 – Maples-Acer