Fall 2022 Franklin Co. Bradford Pear Bounty

101 Lakeview Court,Frankfort KY 40601

15 October, 2022

Description

Bradford pears (a cultivar of callery pear) are not native to Kentucky, but they have been widely planted. Unfortunately, not only are these trees a poor choice for landscapes, they are also bad for the environment. Here's why: Bradford pear were once popular because they are fast growing with pretty blooms. In reality, their blooms smell bad and the trees are prone to cracking and quickly become unsightly. Furthermore, invasive Bradford pears don’t stay put - their seeds spread into nearby areas and damage the productivity and integrity of farms, forests, and natural areas. This program will give homeowners the chance to remove their Bradford pear trees and replace them with more attractive, long lasting, and valuable native trees. Here's how it works: Register for this event now through Eventbrite (this page)Property owners must cut down their Bradford pears and bring in a photo documenting the cut trees to receive an equal number of FREE, young native replacement trees (up to 2 container trees. Showing a photo on your phone is fine. We will have a variety of small, mid-sized, and large native trees and will have tree experts on hand to help you decide which tree is the best for your situation. For instructions on how to cut and treat your Bradford pear so it doesn't resprout, please click on this video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx5KN5mSlss Prize tree offered for the largest Bradford pear cut! Inside Out Design is donating a 10-12 foot container tree to the winner of the biggest invasive pear cut. To be eligible you must pre-register and take a photo with a ruler across your cut tree's trunk.If you need help identifying your trees or would like assistance in participating in the program, please contact Extension to get on our list and we will follow up with you: (502) 695-9035, https://franklin.ca.uky.edu/ Participation criteria: Pre-registration is required (see link).Only Franklin County residents are eligible to receive the container grown trees.Property owners are responsible for cutting their Bradford pear trees and properly disposing of trees. In Frankfort, city and county solid waste will pick up tree debris if it is pulled to the curb. Cut in 4 foot lengths for city residents and 5 foot lengths for county residents.Take a photo of yourself with your cut Bradford pear tree and bring it to the Franklin County Extension Office to receive your "bounty" of free native trees.Replacement trees will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis while supplies last. Specific tree species cannot be reserved ahead of time. If your preferred replacement tree is not available at the time of distribution, you will be provided with an alternative.Location: Franklin County Extension Office, back parking lot (look for signs the day-of)Sponsored by Franklin Co Extension, UK Forest Health Extension, Franklin County Soil Conservation District, City of Frankfort Parks Department, Franklin Co Joint Task Force on Invasives, RIP, The Garden Club, Inside Out Design, Andrew Cammack