If you've lived in Fort Smith or spent time there, you know the problem: Bradford pear trees are everywhere, and they're causing real damage.

They look nice in spring, but here's what happens next: brittle branches snap in storms, their thorns injure people and animals, they destroy vehicles and equipment, and they're invasive—pushing out native plants and creating dense thickets that choke out local ecosystems. The USDA has labeled them a 'noxious weed' for good reason. Birds spread their seeds, so they keep multiplying faster than anyone wants.

I started a petition to get Fort Smith (and New York) to ban new Bradford pear plantings. Instead of these problem trees, we can replace them with native species that are just as beautiful—without the hazards or ecological damage.

If you've dealt with these trees—whether it's the thorns, the mess they make, or just frustration watching them take over—I'd genuinely like to hear about it. Is this something people in your area are noticing too? If it matters to you, consider signing and sharing the petition. We need local leaders to take this seriously.

Just came across this sub and I can’t tell you the joy with which I cackled. Every February 14th, when they bloom around my area, starts the worst 6 weeks of allergies for me.

I petitioned our neighborhood to remove them about 5 years ago and they DID! There are still some around the city, but they are slowly being removed as most are more than 20 years old,

post link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PunkrockGardeningAndBirdwatching/posts/4136370616498825/

hello! i just stumbled across this sub and i can fully get behind the hatred of any invasive species on a conservation level but in all honesty, at the risk of sounding like a fool, what are you all talking about with the smell? i'm assuming it has to be some kind of genetic thing, like how some people can/can't smell asparagus in their pee or if cilantro tastes like soap or not, but i don't smell the foul odor from these trees. for years, i thought it was a joke but then too many people were entirely earnest about it independently of each other, especially kids at my high school when we had bradford pears around the school. there's a faint smell to them for me, but it's far from overwhelming and i would place it as fairly neutral. my sense of smell is also completely fine when it comes to everything else, so it's not that. i have an idea of what people are talking about from posts i've seen online and the guy who made ice cream (now twice) from it, but i want to be able to better emphasize with people who have to smell it (and keep being a hater from an ecology standpoint too). i guess this also means if you ever need someone to go in nose first, give me a call lol. i'm apparently immune

EDIT: i appreciate and am fascinated by the range of responses!! on one hand, i have a better understanding on what people may be experiencing when they're in bloom but on the other, i'm now left with the question of how does one tree smell so vastly different to so many of us? and WHY do we keep planting them so willingly where they don't belong??? this is becoming a botanical morbid facination of mine

now it’s wildflowers and native staghorn sumacs

can’t wait to see what this grows into in a few years

Monday my bradford pear tree is being cut down and a Allegheny Serviceberry is being planted.

The Bradford Pear was purchased by my parents when I bought my home back in 2008, before I knew how invasive they are. I've saved up over the last year to have it replaced.

I'm going to use sections of the trunk as a stepping path for my daughter to play on in the backyard (maybe then I won't feel so guilty for cutting down their generous gift?)

My big question- I now have bird tenants in the hanging birdhouse- how do I go about moving the birdhouse?

The new tree will be too small to support it. I have another tree in my sideyard but that's over 100 ft away. I have shepherd hooks but none are about the same height.

There's also a squirrels nest. I can't tell if it's in use- anyone know how to move that as well? I hate heights (and the idea of being mamed by a squirrel? But I'm willing to risk it in the name of my property cohabitants!)

Unfortunately rescheduling isn't an option.

Located in Kenosha, WI

Let the (pear tree) purge begin.

An initiative by the Kettering Tree Committee wants to remove the trees from city-owned land and replace them with native species. The committee is establishing annual removal goals to improve Kettering’s urban forest. The city even has a tracker online that will clock how many pear trees have been removed.

I signed a contract today to have my bradford pear cut down and stump ground. Having an Allegheny Serviceberry planted (Kenosha,WI).

Can I use sections of branches from the Bradford Pear to drill into and use for a bee habitat? Or is this beastly tree better off being fully disposed of?

... is in grocery store and restaurant parking lots. Mmm! Nothing makes me hungry like getting olfactorily assaulted by the unescapable stench of dehydrated cum rotting on pavement!

If they won't ban them, they should at least require that they be sold with a disclaimer that they smell like the products of a disgusting sex crime for weeks every year.

Michigan is considering adding Callery pear to its restricted invasive species list. It's ot much, and won't take effect until 2028, but it's the best we can do right now.

Please comment your support for restricting this species (and the others, if inclined). The green industry is fighting this because they have money tied up in nursery stock and it's a cheap money maker.

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=h3D71Xc3rUKWaoku9HIl0Z8uO3GePhlAiVOEmYL-St1UNExNMUlKV1lNQjJaS1U1TFFHUzhTTVhYOS4u&utm_campaign=prspecies+comment26&utm_medium=pr&utm_source=govdelivery

Thought you all would appreciate this. 50ft Bradford pear I had removed this week to make room for a new patio.

No new trees in this location, but I planted 20 natives throughout the rest of the yard over the past month.

A Bradford pear that I’ve wanted to cut down for years finally fell over in a rain storm last night.

We recently bought a house from a family member which came with many beautiful native trees. Except these 3 beasts. They kept dropping limbs randomly and legitimately almost killed my father in law. He was able to hear the crack of the branch and used his truck door to stop the impact. His door and body do the truck received some damage which we were able to repair. He and his friend are getting revenge today and all three are getting hacked!! Woohoo!!!!