A statewide program to eliminate Bradford Pear trees – called the NC Bradford Pear Bounty Program – is being coordinated in Henderson County by the Hendersonville Tree Board this spring.
Residents may participate and receive replacement trees at no charge when they remove up to five Bradford Pear trees on their property. Registration for the program is underway and pick-up date for replacement trees is scheduled for Saturday, May 4, 9 to 11 a.m., at Hendersonville Operations Center, 305 Williams Street.
Bradford Pear trees are early blooming trees, and in the past they were considered excellent and beautiful additions to the landscape. Now the trees are labeled as an invasive species, having spread far beyond where they were originally planted. The NC Bradford Pear Bounty program is a collaborative program between NC Cooperative Extension, NC Urban Forestry Council, NC Forest Service, and NC Wildlife Federation which aims to eliminate these trees that are “invasive, weak, annoying, and stinky,” according to program organizers.
On-line pre-registration is required to participate. Register at www.treebountync.com.
Tree removal is the homeowner’s responsibility. Several local tree-care service providers are offering discounts for those participating in the program. The list can be found at www.treebountync.com/removal-discounts.
This is an event-based program. Participants MUST come to Hendersonville Operations Center at 305 Williams St. on Saturday, May 4, between 9 and 11 a.m. to pick up their replacement trees.
Only the homeowner can register and receive replacement trees.
Any Henderson County resident is eligible.
Before-and-after photos must be brought to the May 4 event (i.e., a picture of the tree standing and a picture of the tree on the ground/cut). If the tree was not flowering when cut, an additional photo with a close up of the leaves or bark is required.
Replacement trees are free, native, and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
One native tree is exchanged for each Bradford Pear tree removal. Up to five (5) trees can be exchanged.
“This is a unique program to help stop the spread of what has become an invasive tree species – the Bradford Pear,” said Mary Davis, Hendersonville Tree Board member and local coordinator of this event. “The Tree Board has stepped up to work with the statewide agencies to sponsor the Bradford Pear Bounty locally. Volunteers are needed to help distribute replacement trees on May 4, so we’re inviting folks to sign up to help out.”
To learn more about the Bradford Pear Bounty program and/or to register to participate visit www.treebountync.com To volunteer to help at the event on May 4, email Mary Davis at [email protected] by May 1. To learn more about Hendersonville Tree Board and its projects, visit the webpage at http://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/tree-board.
Written by the City of Hendersonville.