Moving this tree in Kansas could get you in trouble starting in 2027, what to know

TOPEKA (KSNT) - Kansans will need to be careful in the years ahead as a tree quarantine settles into place to curb the growth of a major invasive pest.

Kansas agricultural officials are cracking down on a tree which was first brought to the state for the beauty it added to outdoor spaces. Now, changing opinions has resulted in the tree, callery pears, being labeled an invasive species, resulted in the declaration of a quarantine and more general efforts to remove them from the state's soil.

Heather Lansdowne with the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) told 27 News that, starting on Jan. 1, 2027, people will no longer be able to move or sell callery pear trees in Kansas. This quarantine, which targets callery pears and its relatives, was made official in February 2024 by KDA Secretary Mike Beam.

"Trees that are already planted are not affected by this quarantine, so anyone who currently has a Callery Pear tree is not required to remove it," Lansdowne said. "However, KDA supports efforts by partner agencies that offer replacement trees if Kansans wish to voluntarily replace their Callery Pear trees with a native species, and we encourage Kansans to consider doing so."

Callery pears and their close relatives are considered a nuisance as they break easily during storms, causing property damage, take up space that could be occupied by native trees and cause a disruption in the natural ecosystem. Organizations like the Kansas Forest Service (KFS) and Kansas State University Research and Extension Office have been raising awareness for years now regarding the issues posed by these trees and offer removal tips.

The 2027 quarantine includes several varieties related to the callery pear including trees like the Bradford, Cleveland, select, chanticleer, aristocrat and others. People found to be in violation of the quarantine may face fines for moving or selling these types of trees once 2027 rolls around.

Lansdowne said the KDA began gathering input from the public in 2023 to find out what people thought about a possible quarantine on the trees. Responses indicated a strong sentiment among the general public in Kansas to tighten up restrictions on the trees.

"We received hundreds of responses from Kansans across the state, and the vast majority of them were supportive of restrictions on the Callery Pear tree due to the invasive nature of this species," Lansdowne said. "We were pleased to see this high level of support for this action, and worked with stakeholders to develop a quarantine that allowed reasonable flexibility while eventually resulting in a shift to healthy native tree species across the state."

People looking for help to remove these types of trees from their properties can consult with the KFS by checking out its website. You can stay up to date on upcoming tree buyback programs by signing up to the Kansas Canopy Newsletter.

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