Tired of the smelly Bradford pear every spring? Help SC eradicate the tree. Here’s how

Patrick McCreless
Scott Sharpe/ssharpe@newsobserver.com

As spring weather returns and plants begin to bloom, invasive Bradford pear trees are again offending South Carolinians with their pungent odor.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

The South Carolina Forestry Commission even wants the invasive species gone for good. The state has already banned the buying and selling of the trees starting in 2024.

But South Carolina still needs your help.

The forestry commission and the Clemson University Extension Service have since 2019 offered a bounty on Bradford pear trees. South Carolina residents are asked to cut down any Bradford pears on their property and bring them in on designated days to exchange for other native trees. If you don’t have any Bradford pears on your property, find some neighbors who do and encourage them to claim the bounty, especially since the next exchange event is coming up soon.

Exchange event schedule

When: March 25 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Where: Spartanburg Community College at 107 Community College Drive

Bounty details: You can exchange up to five Bradford pear trees for an equal number of free, healthy, native, young replacement trees.

Bradford pear bounty criteria

  • Pre-registration is required. To do so, click here.

  • Only property owners can register and get trees.

  • Any South Carolina resident can participate.

  • Property owners are responsible for tree removal.

  • Take a photo of yourself with the cut tree and bring it to the exchange event.

  • Replacement trees will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis while supplies last. Specific tree species cannot be reserved.

Bradford pear tree problems

Bradford pears are not native to the U.S., but were brought from China and Vietnam in the 1950s. At the time they were considered the perfect trees by landscapers. They have fairly pretty white blooms, resist disease and can be planted almost anywhere.

However, the tree eventually began to spread into forests thanks to pollination, choking out more useful native trees that can be harvested for wood products. And besides the offensive smell they produce, Bradford pears, despite the name, don’t produce fruit. Also, the tree’s limbs are fairly brittle and break easily in storms, causing hazards.

Bradford pear tree removal

Clemson recommends residents contact a licensed tree professional to remove any Bradford pears on their property. Cut stumps should be immediately treated with an herbicide (glyphosate or triclopyr) to ensure that the stumps and large roots don’t resprout.

To find a qualified tree service professional visit TCIA’s “Find Qualified Tree Care” page.

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