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Why you should beware of the Bradford pear
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Bradford (a.k.a. Callery pear) trees are infamous for their stinky smell, and also have poor branch structure
JOPLIN, Mo. — The spring season is underway and many Missouri plants and trees will be blooming with color. Unfortunately, one invasive tree species will also be prominent along roadways and other natural open areas: The Callery pear tree. If you happen to be shopping for new trees this spring, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) urges you to avoid this non-native tree species.
The Callery pear, also known as the Bradford pear, Cleveland Select, Autumn Blaze, or Aristocrat, is a highly invasive tree that multiples quickly and crowds out Missouri native plants.
“The Callery pear rose to fame as a popular ornamental landscape tree in the 1960’s because it was inexpensive, it grew fast, and it provided white blooms in the spring. But that’s where the list of benefits ends. Different varieties of the tree were planted close to each other, they cross-pollinated, and spread everywhere,” said Forestry Field Programs Supervisor, Russell Hinnah with the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Callery pears’ ability to cross-pollinate is why many roadsides, rights-of-way, parks, and other natural areas are filled with white blooms every spring. The downside to the tree’s pretty white color: They’re are infamous for a stinky smell, and also have poor branch structure. They don’t fare well in bad weather, often losing limbs or splitting apart.
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The Missouri Department of Conservation encourages homeowners and landscapers to grow native when picking a tree to plant this spring.
“The best decision is to plant a tree species native to Missouri, and there are several great trees to substitute. Serviceberry trees produce similar white blooms in the spring and they have small red fruits that attract wildlife,” said Hinnah.
Other alternatives include American plum, hawthorn, eastern redbud, and Missouri’s state tree, the flowering dogwood. On one hand, hawthorns provide bountiful fruit and attractive fall color, while on the other, dogwoods thrive in shady areas, but they can be difficult to grow.
You can learn more about native trees and landscaping on your property, HERE.
CALLERY PEAR BUY-BACK EVENT – JOPLIN
Those in the Joplin area with Callery pear trees on their property have the opportunity to cut down their trees and receive a free, non-invasive tree in return, at a “buy-back” event scheduled for April 18th. This event is made possible through partnerships with the Missouri Invasive Plant Council, Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, Forrest Keeling Nursery, and the Missouri Department of Conservation.
To qualify, participants must submit a photo of their cut-down Callery pear online. On April 18th, one free native tree will be provided to each registered participant at the Shoal Creek Conservation Education Center.
You’ll find more information about Joplin’s Callery pear tree buy-back event, HERE.
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JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. – Two people are behind bars after a man reportedly attacked a Jefferson County deputy with a screwdriver during an attempted arrest over the weekend.
Prosecutors have charged Nicholas Davis, 47, and Amanda Davis, 45, of Dittmer, Missouri, with felonies in the investigation.
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The alleged attack followed a traffic stop of a driver in the 9500 block of Jones Creek Road on July 7, though the driver was not Nicholas or Amanda.
According to court documents obtained by FOX 2, Nicholas reportedly came out of his nearby home, yelled at a deputy and started approaching him while holding a screwdriver. The deputy initially ordered Nicholas to back away, then used pepper spray.
Per court documents, the deputy attempted to arrest Nicholas, who then struck him in the chest with the screwdriver. Amanda reportedly approached the deputy and pulled him away from Nicholas before both ran inside their home.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office says the situation prompted an hours-long standoff involving negotiators, a SWAT team and a K-9 deputy. The situation led to Nicholas refusing warnings and being bitten by a K-9.
Nicholas and Amanda are both jailed in the Jefferson County Jail without bond. Nicholas is charged with first-degree assault on a special victim and armed criminal action. Amanda is charged with resisting/interfering with arrest.
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ST. LOUIS — The new St. Louis schools superintendent will be officially sworn into office today. Dr. Keisha Scarlett took over the job in July after the retirement of Dr. Kelvin Adams. She was assistant superintendent in the Seattle Public School District. The installation ceremony is at 6:15 p.m. before the regular school board meeting.
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ST. LOUIS — A gasoline tanker truck crashed into a Metro transit center near Riverview and Hall Streets early Tuesday morning and knocked over a power pole. The pole is leaning on other power lines. Police have the area blocked off here because there is a downed power line. Ameren and Metro crews are also on the scene.
The incident happened around 12:30 a.m. It’s still unclear exactly what caused the crash, but we do that there was a second vehicle somehow involved. The airbags on that second vehicle did deploy.
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Police at the scene have not been able to give us a lot of details. Metro officials tell FOX 2 that the transit center here is operating this morning for passengers and buses. Access to certain areas will be limited here as clean up unfolds.
A Metro spokesperson says half of the station isn’t being used right now because of safety issues. It isn’t impacting overall bus operations, everything is just happening on the other side of transit center.
The extent of the damage to the actual transit center is still unclear, but I’m told it does not appear to be extreme. A Metro spokesperson tells me there were no injuries to any metro workers or passengers. The tanker driver also was not injured.
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