Bradford pear tree ban begins in South Carolina in 2024 [View all]

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina is banning sales of a popular but invasive tree.

Starting on Oct. 1, 2024, nurseries in South Carolina will be prohibited from selling Bradford Pear and Callery pear trees, according to the Post and Courier.

The trees are known for their early spring white flowers. But they also are known as one of the weakest structural trees in existence, with branches that commonly break after 10 to 15 years and a short life expectancy of 20 to 30 years.

The ban affects the Bradford pear and any other tree grown from the Pyrus calleryana rootstock. State lawmakers and the state’s Crop Pest Commission approved the ban after an advisory panel added the tree to the State Plant Pest List.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/business-environment-and-nature-trees-south-carolina-6ed99f3aa37e03eb741c90251a3e7716