Swap a Problem Tree for a Native One: Inside Virginia’s Callery Pear Exchange Program

If you live in Virginia and have a Callery pear tree on your property, there’s a great opportunity to strengthen native forests while removing a plant species that’s causing real ecological trouble. The Callery Pear Exchange Program, run by the Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF), is aimed at encouraging landowners to remove invasive Callery pear trees and replace them with native species — at no cost.

At Patriot Tree Service, we’ve seen firsthand how widespread Callery pear has become throughout Winchester and the surrounding region — both in residential landscapes and spreading into unmanaged areas.

Why This Program Matters

Callery pear trees (often sold under names like “Bradford pear”) were once popular landscape additions because of their attractive blooms and tidy form. However, those qualities have masked some serious downsides. Once thought to be sterile, these trees cross-pollinate and spread rapidly. The resulting wild offspring invade natural areas, competing with native plants for light, nutrients, and space.

Beyond ecological concerns, Callery pears have structural flaws. Their wood is weak and prone to breakage, especially during storms, and older trees can develop sharp thorns that pose a hazard to people, pets, and equipment.

We regularly remove storm-damaged Bradford pears at Patriot Tree Service due to their poor branch structure and tendency to split under wind, snow, or ice load. Many homeowners only realize the risk after a failure has already occurred.

The DOF designed the exchange program to help reduce these negative impacts — one yard at a time.

How the Exchange Works

Here’s how Virginia’s Callery Pear Exchange Program helps residents:

Trade-In for a Native Tree: For each Callery pear you remove from your own, privately owned property, you can receive one native tree in a 2-gallon container — up to three per household.

Preregistration Is Required: Because the number of available trees is limited, landowners must register in advance to participate.

Pick Up Your Tree: Selected trees are distributed at designated tree exchange events (e.g., a springtime event in Fairfax during April 2026). Those who preregister get their replacement trees during the scheduled pick-up window.

Document Your Removal: On pickup day, you’ll need to show a photo of the removed Callery pear (e.g., a photo that clearly shows flowers, leaves, or fruit) to confirm the tree has been taken down.

Removal Is on You: While the program gives away replacement trees, homeowners are responsible for cutting down and treating their own Callery pears. The DOF strongly suggests hiring a certified arborist and using proper herbicide treatments to prevent regrowth.

This is where professional removal truly matters. Simply cutting a Callery pear down often leads to aggressive stump sprouting if it isn’t treated properly. Larger trees near homes, driveways, or power lines also present serious safety risks if handled incorrectly. At Patriot Tree Service, our ISA Certified Arborists safely remove Callery pears of all sizes and properly treat stumps to prevent regrowth — ensuring the problem doesn’t return next season.

Picking Better Trees for Virginia

Native trees aren’t just replacements — they’re ecological boosters. They improve habitat for wildlife, support local biodiversity, and often perform better over the long term than non-native ornamentals.

The DOF selects a variety of native species to hand out, and though specific choices can’t be reserved ahead of time, staff are on hand during exchanges to help landowners select the best options for their landscape.

As ISA Certified Arborists, we also work with homeowners to evaluate planting location, soil conditions, drainage, sunlight exposure, and spacing before a new tree ever goes in the ground. Choosing the right species — and planting it correctly — makes the difference between a tree that thrives for decades and one that becomes a future removal.

If you’re participating in the exchange program, it’s a great opportunity to think long-term about your landscape plan.

Helping Forests — One Yard at a Time

The Callery Pear Exchange Program is more than a giveaway. It’s a community-level incentive that helps homeowners make a positive environmental impact while replacing a problematic plant with something that supports healthier ecosystems.

By participating, Virginians are not only beautifying their own properties, they’re also contributing to stronger and more resilient urban and rural forests across the state.

If you have a Bradford pear on your property and are considering participating in the exchange, now is the ideal time to have it evaluated. Patriot Tree Service provides professional Callery pear identification, safe removal, stump treatment to prevent regrowth, and ISA Certified Arborist guidance on selecting the right native replacement for your property.

If you’d like to schedule an evaluation or prepare your property for the exchange program, contact Patriot Tree Service today. We’re proud to help homeowners throughout Winchester and the surrounding region remove invasive trees the right way — and replace them with something built to last.