Why are Bradford pear trees being banned in South Carolina?

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – South Carolina is banning the sale of invasive Bradford Pear trees because of their impact on SC ecosystems. Foresters say the trees spread quickly and are hard to control because of their strong and copious thorns that have been known to damage heavy-duty forestry vehicles.

Are Bradford pear trees toxic?

Hello, Kate: Pyrus calleryana ‘Bradford’ certainly has its negatives but its foliage being poisonous is not one of them. According to the ASPCA list of toxic plants, the foliage of your ornamental pear is not considered toxic.

What states ban Bradford pears?

Bradford pear trees are set to be banned in South Carolina in 2024, giving plant nursery owners a transition period to sell leftovers while they can. The ban is on new sales of the plant starting Oct. 1, 2024.

What states ban Bradford pear trees?

South Carolina will become only the second state in the United States to ban the nursery sale of Bradford pear trees and any other pear trees grown on the commonly used Pyrus calleryana rootstock. The ban on sales will begin October 1, 2024, which is the annual nursery licensing renewal date in South Carolina.

Why do Bradford pear trees smell so bad?

Bradford pear trees are in full bloom now, revealing a canopy of beautiful white blooms but also emitting a stench that’s often compared to rotting fish, NPR reports. Any smell emitted by a plant is to attract pollinators, which is what the Bradford pear is doing with its awful smell.

Why do Bradford pears smell bad?

What is the curse of the Bradford pear?

The Curse of the Bradford Pear. When Bradford pear was introduced as an ornamental in 1964 by the US Department of Agriculture , it was known then that this tree possessed the weakest branch structure in nature. Also, the tree was assumed to be sterile. Bradford pears will seldom last more than 20 years before they bust themselves apart at the seams.

What is bad about Bradford pear trees?

The biggest problem with the Bradford pear tree is that it has many upright branches growing too closely together on the trunk. This makes the plant extremely breakable, especially in bad weather. The tree can be pruned to reduce the risk of breakage but pruning is best done by professionals.

What is the life expectancy of a Bradford pear tree?

The average life expectancy of a Bradford pear is about 15 years. While the tree is capable of producing viable foliage for more than 15 years, this is typically how long the tree will last before it begins to fall apart.

Are Bradford pear trees poisonous to humans?

Bradford pear trees’ seeds are also mildly poisonous to humans, according to the University of California, Davis, because they cause a cyanide build-up in the body. If too much of the seeds are consumed, a mild fever and stomachache could arise.