Spring is upon us, and that means the Bradford pear trees are in bloom and neighborhoods across Charlotte and the rest of North Carolina are starting to smell.
In addition to their scent, the trees are an invasive species that local ecosystems are better off without, experts say.
If you have Bradford trees on your property, you also have the option of having them removed and replaced at little or no cost as part of a statewide initiative.
Here’s why Bradford pears are harmful and what North Carolina homeowners can do to treat them inexpensively:
Problems with the Bradford pear tree
Perhaps the most obvious problem with Bradford pears is their foul smell. The smell comes from two chemicals the trees emit, Kelly Oten, a forest health specialist with the NC State Extension, previously told McClatchy News.
In addition to the stench, North Carolina trees are also an invasive species. This can have detrimental effects on native plants and the food chain.
Also, they are often brittle, Oten added, which can cause them to break and cause property damage and/or injury.
How to get discounted removal of Bradford pear trees
If you are looking to get rid of Bradford pears on your property, there are ways to remove and replace the trees at little or no cost to you.
The NC Bradford Pear Bounty – “a joint program between NC State Extension, NC
The Urban Forest Council, NC Forest Service and NC Wildlife Federation hold events throughout the state each year.
North Carolina homeowners can register for the program at treebountync.com to receive a native replacement tree.
“Tree removal is the homeowner’s responsibility,” the program explains, but “several tree care providers offer discounts to program participants.”
This includes several tree felling programs in the Charlotte area.
What should you replace Bradford pears with?
The NC Bradford Pear Bounty offers a number of native replacement trees including:
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Mary Ramsey is a service journalism reporter for The Charlotte Observer. Originally from the Carolinas, she studied journalism at the University of South Carolina and has also worked in Phoenix, Arizona and Louisville, Kentucky.
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