Bradford Pear Bounty 2026

The problem

Bradford pear trees are not native to the U.S. and have been widely planted in South Carolina for decades as ornamentals.

While the blossoms are pretty, they have a pungent odor, and the trees often break during storms.

Worse, Bradford pear trees directly contribute to one of the worst invasive plant species in the Southeast – the Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana).

Bradford pear trees directly contribute to one of the worst invasive plant species in the Southeast – the Callery pear.
Unfortunately, seeing Callery pear infestations on roadsides and in pastures is not uncommon across South Carolina’s landscape.
The program

The Bradford Pear Bounty program through Clemson Cooperative Extension, in partnership with agencies like the SCFC and other organizations, gives homeowners the option to remove Bradford pears and replace them with up to five young, healthy native trees — a one-for-one replacement — for free!

Doing so aims to reduce the amount of seed that can revert to Callery pears while diversifying the urban landscape.

This year’s events
Mt. Pleasant

More than 95 trees were given away to residents who removed up to five Bradford pear and/or Chinese tallow trees from their property in exchange for a native tree Feb. 28. ⁠

From left: Clemson’s Caleb Davis, Jordan Bailey and Katy Crout, SCFC’s Katie Biggert and David Jenkins, and Mount Pleasant Urban Forester Eddie Bernard

SCFC Forest Health Coordinator David Jenkins and Invasive Species Coordinator Katie Biggert helped residents choose the “Right Tree, Right Place” out of the available species:

  • Rusty blackhaw
  • Possumhaw
  • Southern red oak
  • Dahoon holly
  • Post oak
  • American elm
  • Baldcypress
  • Winged elm
  • Sugarberry
  • Black cherry

Residents also learned about the Asian longhorned beetle quarantine zones in Charleston County. Participants had a chance to ask questions and take part in fun giveaways thanks to Berkeley Electric and the SC Native Plant Society’s Lowcountry Chapter.

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Local residents got to take home healthy, young native trees on a one-for-one basis in exchange for their cut Bradford pear or Chinese tallow trees.
Representatives of Clemson’s Invasive Species Program answered questions about the Asian longhorned beetle’s presence and quarantine zone in the area.
More than 95 young, healthy native trees were given away to residents Feb. 28.
Columbia

The March 14 Columbia event was a hit, and all native replacement trees were claimed fewer than 15 minutes after the event started!

Folks started filing into the parking lot at least 30 minutes before the event kicked off to ensure they could claim their preferred species.

Although participants register in advance, trees are given away on a first-come, first-served basis.

Available native replacement trees included:

  • Arrowwood viburnum
  • Black cherry
  • Wax myrtle
  • Possumhaw
  • Red maple
  • Paw paw
  • American beautyberry
  • Persimmon
  • Carolina buckthorn
  • American elm
  • What was scheduled to be a three-hour event was over in a flash!
  • Available native tree species at the Columbia location
  • Residents lined up to receive their free native replacement trees.
  • All native replacement trees were claimed in fewer than 15 minutes.
  • The Bradford Pear Bounty program invites organizations like SC Native Plant Society to take part in events.
  • SCFC Invasive Species Coordinator Katie Biggert attended the Columbia event and spoke with the public.
  • Residents showed up early to make sure they could claim their preferred native tree!
Greenville

The March 28 event at Conestee Park marked the end to a successful year of Bradford Pear Bounty! SCFC Invasive Species Coordinator Katie Biggert said the line to receive native replacement trees was long, and it never seemed to get shorter! There were some leftover native replacement trees, which were offered to local organizations and claimed.

Available trees included:

Look at that line!
People who cut their Bradford pears and brought proof (a selfie with the tree(s)) could pick out the species of their choice.
Step right up!
We love to see people get excited about native trees.

Looking ahead

Locations for 2027 Bradford Pear Bounty events are happening in Bennettsville, Clemson, Columbia and Fort Mill.

Learn more and spread the word!

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