YORK, Pa. — Callery or Bradford Pear trees have been along York streets for decades.
“I don’t really know much about them; I see them driving every day,” said York resident Amelia Anderson.
Their white flower petals are hard to miss in full bloom.
“They’re very pretty, I took a picture on the way here and I thought they were so pretty,” Anderson said.
The tree was brought to the United States in the early 1900s, making it an invasive species.
“Kind of makes me wonder, are they going to take them away, cut them down, or replace them?” Anderson said.
Many of the trees were planted for decorative purposes, which is why many are found along streets and public spaces.
In 2021, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture added the tree to the noxious weed list with a Class-B label.
This is because the tree could harm or damage public health or crops.
Its fruit is an easy meal for birds who carry and disperse their seeds wherever they go, making it hard to fully eradicate.
The department says the trees cannot be distributed, cultivated, or propagated within the Commonwealth, making sales illegal.
Earlier this year, the department was expected to issue orders to destroy remaining Bradford stocks in stores.
“It doesn’t really change my opinion; I still think they look very nice,” said resident Mya Gonzales.
York officials say talks about getting rid of the trees have started but no decision has been made.
For now, the trees remain.
“We’ll probably go back to school and talk about it,” Anderson said.