KIRKSVILLE, MO. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has partnered with the Missouri Invasive Plant Council, Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, and Forrest Keeling Nursery to host a Callery pear buyback program in Kirksville, Hannibal, and Moberly on April 22, from 3-6 p.m. at the MDC Northeast Regional Office in Kirksville, Central Park in Hannibal, and Rothwell Park in Moberly.

The buyback program involves landowners removing one or more Callery pear trees in exchange for receiving one free, native tree. To be eligible for one free native tree, participants must register between March 17 and April 17 and submit a photo of their cut down Callery pear. One free native tree will be provided to each registered participant at the pick-up event on April 22 with a limit of one free tree per household. Register at http://short.mdc.mo.gov/4jf.

Mature Callery pear trees can reach heights of 30-40 feet, and their limbs generally grow vertically, forming a pyramid or egg shape. During their blooming period, often in early April, the trees will have very dense clusters of white flowers that cover the tree before leaves form. Learn more about Callery pear trees at http://short.mdc.mo.gov/4MJ.

Northeast Regional Office is located at 3500 South Baltimore Street in Kirksville, Hannibal’s Central Park is located at the corner of Broadway and 4th Street in Hannibal, and Rothwell Park is located at 109 Rothwell Park Road in Moberly.