MANHATTAN (KSNT) – Kansans have a special opportunity this fall to uproot some of their local invasive trees and replace them before a quarantine takes effect.
The Kansas Forest Service (KFS) is encouraging people to get rid of invasive callery pear trees in their backyards by holding a special tree buyback event this fall sponsored by Evergy. The KFS will be holding the event on the morning of Saturday, Oct. 4 in Manhattan at the Kansas Forest Service State Office located at 2610 Claflin Road with a limited supply of native tree varieties to give away.
KFS spokesman Brady Wolken told 27 News his agency is trying to obtain as many native trees as possible to give away during the upcoming event. He said a list of native replacements will be available in the near future following the conclusion of a survey sent out to KFS newsletter subscribers.
“Due to the pricing of trees, we are trying to get as many as possible for our event while still providing quality trees,” Wolken said. “We are estimating somewhere around 100.”
Kansas cook-off challenges participants to use wild ingredients
Callery pear trees have a bad reputation in Kansas and other states. These trees can be found in numerous areas across the Sunflower State where they were planted originally to beautify certain places, according to the KFS. Now, the trees are spreading naturally and are pushing out native tree species while also causing damage to property during storm events.
“Callery Pears are classified as an invasive species here in Kansas,” Wolken said. “This means that this tree is spreading very fast in undesired locations and can outcompete some of our native trees. The Callery Pear is also easily breakable in storms compared to other native trees. This is because of the tree’s tight branch angles, which can lead to large branches breaking off easily. This can lead to property or utility damage in communities.”
The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) has even established a quarantine on callery pear trees and similar species, classifying them as an invasive species. Starting on Jan. 1, 2027 people will no longer be able to sell or move callery pear trees in Kansas.
“This year is the first year that the Kansas Forest Service will be hosting this event, so we are unsure about numbers,” Wolken said when talking about the past popularity of the tree buyback program. “That being said, we have partnered with other events, and the registration fills up very fast!”
Biologists fight invasive plant taking over Kansas green spaces
Wolken said the event will be first come, first serve as soon as registration for it opens on Sept. 10. The KFS will send the registration link out through its newsletter. People must show proof of removing a callery pear tree to be eligible for the program.
“When registration opens, proof of removal of Callery Pear will be required,” Wolken said. “Individuals who register first will be contacted to notify them that they will have a tree reserved for them. If an individual isn’t contacted informing them, they have a tree reserved for them, then sadly, they will not receive a tree from this event.”
You can sign up to the KFS newsletter by clicking here. To learn more about the issues associated with callery pear trees, click here.
Some Kansas Gas Service customers hit with unexpectedly big bills
For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.
Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf
