Invasive Plant Factsheet
Originally brought to the United States from Asia to combat disease affecting the common pear, this non-native tree, including the popular ‘Bradford’ cultivar, is now planted in high density in a variety of urban and suburban settings. It can spread aggressively outside cultivation. The National Park and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services consider it a plant invader of Mid-Atlantic natural areas. Wild forms develop traits of the original trees, including thorns.
Native Alternatives
- Amelanchier arborea (Downy Serviceberry)
- Cercis canadensis (Eastern Redbud)
- Chionanthus virginicus (Fringetree)
- Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood)
- Crataegus crus-galli (Cockspur Hawthorn)
- Halesia tetraptera (Silverbell)
- Malus coronaria (Sweet Crabapple)
- Prunus americana (American Wild Plum)
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Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana)
