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 The
tree is still bought, sold, and planted because it has not yet made
the list of plants included in the Illinois Exotic Weed Act. Until
policies are amended, educational outreach and word of mouth are the
best ways to combat the use of Callery pear. What trees make good
replacements for Callery pear in the landscape? Numerous Illinois
native species make suitable alternatives or replacements.
American Fringetree Chionanthus virginicus
Also known as Grancy Graybeard, the American fringetree is a
medium-sized deciduous tree that blooms in late spring. It is known
for fragrant flower clusters with white fringe-like petals. Other
features are the smooth, silver-gray bark and attractive fall
foliage. Fringetree is a host plant for several insect species, and
the fruit is a food source for many birds, including the cardinal,
blue jay, and pileated woodpecker.
American Hornbeam Carpinus caroliniana
The American Hornbeam, also called ironwood and musclewood, is a
medium-sized tree with distinctive muscle-like fluted bark and very
hard wood. While not known for showy flowers, hornbeam produces
subtle catkins in spring. It's valued for its unique form and
attractive, doubly serrated leaves that turn a yellow-orange color
in fall. Though an understory tree in its natural habitat, hornbeam
tolerates a range of conditions, including clay soil and black
walnut toxicity.
Red Buckeye Aesculus pavia
In late spring, red buckeye exhibits 6 to 10-inch long panicles of
beautiful orange-red flowers that attract hummingbirds. These blooms
give way to shiny brown seeds inside a smooth husk. The large,
palmately compound leaves are a glossy green in summer and drop
early in fall. Red buckeye is hardy to zone 6 and may be marginally
hardy in the colder climates of northern Illinois.
Serviceberry Amelanchier spp.
Serviceberry is a small native tree that offers ornamental appeal
like Callery pear. Its showy white flowers in the spring result in
colorful, edible summer fruit that attracts birds and other
wildlife. They are hardy to zone 4 and prefer moist, well-drained
soil that is slightly acidic but tolerates many soil types in
community environments. [to top of second
column] |
The downy serviceberry, A.
arborea, offers beauty every season, and smooth shadbush, A.
laevis, has very tasty fruit. Autumn Brilliance, Amelanchier x
grandiflora, is a natural hybrid of A. laevis and A. arborea
that is commonly used in yards and parks.
Flowering dogwood Benthamidia florida, previously
Cornus florida
Flowering dogwood is another beautiful native tree with year-round
seasonal interest, but don’t eat the fruit. Though it’s food for
many songbirds, the bright red drupe or fruit is quite bitter to
humans. Flowering dogwood blooms in spring with large white bracts
appearing as large flower petals. The true flowers are small and
yellow-green, inconspicuously located in the center of the bracts.
Cultivated varieties boast more colorful flowers, fruit, and fall
leaves. Some research suggests that cultivars of the species are not
as beneficial to pollinators and other wildlife.
Eastern redbud Cercis canadensis
Eastern Redbud is a small deciduous tree with vibrant pink spring
flowers that bloom directly on the branches before leaves appear.
This adds a splash of color to the dull grey of early spring and is
a valuable resource for many pollinators, including hummingbirds.
Part shade is best in hot summer climates, but, like dogwood, it
will also perform in full sun. Also, like dogwood, redbud is quite
susceptible to verticillium wilt, a fungal disease that affects
numerous species and for which there is no effective treatment
beyond prevention.
For more on finding alternatives to the invasive Callery pear tree,
connect with a location Extension office at https://extension.illinois.edu/lms.
[SOURCES: Sarah Vogel, Extension
Horticulture Educator]
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