issg Database: Management and Information Links for Pyrus calleryana

Pyrus calleryana (tree)

Ecology Distribution Management
Info Impact
Info References
and Links Contacts

         Management Information

Preventative measures: Swearingen et al. (2002) recommend not planting Pyrus calleryana. The root stock of grafted plants can sprout and reproduce by crossing with the upper scion. Sucker growth should be promptly removed to prevent possible cross pollination with the scion (Culley & Hardiman, 2007).
Physical: Pull up seedlings by hand or with a gardening tool which helps capture the roots. Cut down trees and immediately treat entire surface area of cut stump with a systemic herbicide such as concentrated glyphosate or triclopyr, following all labeling instructions, to prevent resprouting. Adult trees can be girdled in spring or summer by cutting through the bark around the entire circumference of the tree at the base of the tree. Mowing is not effective because of likelihood of resprouting (Swearingen et al. 2002).
Chemical: Treat entire surface area of any cut stumps immediately with a systemic herbicide such as concentrated glyphosate or triclopyr, following all labeling instructions, to prevent resprouting. To prevent fruiting of adult trees, spray with ethephon during full bloom; only 95% effective (Culley & Hardiman, 2007).

         Management Resources/Links

1. Culley, T.M. and Hardiman, N.A., 2007. The Beginning of a New Invasive Plant: A History of the Ornamental Callery Pear in the United States. BioScience: Vol. 57, No. 11, pp.956-964. American Institute of Biological Sciences, 2007. (doi:10.1641/B571108)
        Summary: This article is a comprehensive look into the growing invasiveness of Pyrus calleryana including history, biology, distribution, control, and implications of invasion of the species, (in the United States).
Available from: http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1211665/the_beginning_of_a_new_invasive_plant/index.html [Accessed on 18 February 2008]
2. Culley, Theresa M. and Nicole A. Hardiman., 2009. The role of intraspecific hybridization in the evolution of invasiveness: a case study of the ornamental pear tree Pyrus calleryana. Biol Invasions (2009) 11:1107–1119
3. Swearingen, J. and Reshetiloff, K. and Slattery, B. and Zwicker, S. 2002. Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas. National Park Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C. pp. 82.
        Summary: This source provides summaries of background, distribution, ecological threats, description, biology, prevention, and control of many invasive species in the Mid-Atlantic United States.
Available from: http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/pubs/midatlantic/pyca.htm [Accessed on 18 February 2008]
4. USDA, NRCS, 2008. Plants Database, Plants Profile for Pyrus calleryana Decne., Callery pear.
        Summary: Available from: http://plants.usda.gov/java/nameSearch?keywordquery=Pyrus+calleryana&mode=sciname&submit.x=12&submit.y=8 [Accessed on 18 February 2008]
5. Vincent, M.A., 2005. On the spread and current distribution of Pyrus calleryana in the United States. Castanea 70: 20–31.
        Summary: This article is one of the most recent publications on the increasing invasiveness of Pyrus calleryana, including background, identification, biological, and management information for the species.
Available from: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4060/is_200503/ai_n13634749 [Accessed on 19 February 2008]
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The Global Invasive Species Database is managed by the Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) of the IUCN Species Survival Commission. It was developed as part of the global initiative on invasive species led by the Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP) and is supported through partnerships with the National Biological Information Infrastructure, Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research and the University of Auckland. Conditions of use.