Callery pear, Pyrus calleryana, has become an aggressive invasive species in many parts of the Midwest and eastern United States, outcompeting native trees and forming dense monocultures. And though this non-native species may have pretty flowers in the spring, they sure smell terrible!

Early detection is key to controlling new invasive species. You can help researchers, land managers and policymakers generate data on the distribution and density of Callery pear by reporting sightings in iNaturalist.

Callery pear has been reported in Minnesota 26 times on iNaturalist and they all appear to be cultivated plantings. We'd like to better understand where it is and if it's moving to untended lands in Minnesota as it has elsewhere.

Watch this 1:24 minute video to learn how to report to iNaturalist. 

If the tree is tended, like in a yard or park, please click the "It is captive or cultivated" choice in the iNaturalist report. 

If you are an EDDMapS app user and find Callery pear in untended natural areas, please also report it in EDDMapS.

Watch this 3:53 minute video from Penn State Extension for an overview of Callery pear identification. 

Then review the images below to see the differences between Callery pear and common look-alikes.