In this Daily Herald article, David Horvath from Davey's Lake Bluff office talks about the Bradford pear and explains why its invasive behavior led to it being banned in Illinois.
Every April, a different kind of blizzard sweeps across Chicago-area neighborhoods. White blossoms line parkways in Naperville, commercial strips in Schaumburg, and front yards in Arlington Heights. It's one of the most recognizable signs of spring and as of last fall, officially an invasive weed in Illinois.
But the beautiful Callery pear turned out to be an environmental Trojan horse. Also sold as Bradford pear, it has quickly become a nuisance. As of October 2025, it has been added to Illinois' Exotic Weed Act, making it illegal to buy, sell, distribute, or plant in the state. Nurseries have been given a grace period to phase out existing stock, with the full sales ban taking effect Jan. 1, 2028.
Don't worry. If you have a pear in the ground, you aren't required to remove it. But this is a good time to take stock and assess what's next.
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For more information, contact Davey's Lake Bluff office.
The Davey Tree Expert Company provides research-driven tree services, grounds maintenance and environmental and utility infrastructure consulting for residential, utility, commercial and environmental partners in the U.S. and Canada. Established in 1880 and headquartered in Kent, Ohio, Davey has over 12,000 employees who create and deliver sustainable solutions. Davey continues to grow through expertise with the SEED Campus, its newest commitment to training, research and safety. Become part of the Davey legacy by applying today and join one of the top ten largest employee-owned companies in the U.S.
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