Maryland has a new state tree - the Bradford Pear!

[elleng]

Celebrating this species' ubiquitous white spring blossoms and beautiful smell, the state has claimed this species to replace White Oak as our state tree.

Pyrus calleryana, also known as the Callery pear or Bradford pear, is a species of pear tree native to China and Vietnam,[2] in the family Rosaceae. It is most commonly known for its cultivar 'Bradford' and its offensive odor, widely planted throughout the United States and increasingly regarded as an invasive species.[2] (Doesn't sound so great to me, tho dramatic looking.)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrus_calleryana

Which is it, 'beautiful smell' or 'offensive odor?'

[NewHendoLib]

1. Terrible tree - brittle branches break easily, becomes invasive, smells like cat pee.

In our area, free trees are being given to anyone who removes their Bradfords.

Why choose a non native as a state tree?

[Easterncedar]

3. You beat me to it. Brittle is the word!

[Easterncedar]

2. Wow. It's an interesting choice. It wouldn't be mine.

The flowers are pretty, but it’s brittle and in many places in the US it is considered an invasive pest. The robins up here like the tiny hard fruit in late winter.

[unc70]

4. Bradford pears cannot be sold in SC

Should not be sold anywhere. One of the worst invasive species.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

5. Bradford Pear?

Oh, dear lord. We had one in our yard in Overland Park. Hated it. It's still there. I just looked at google maps.

[Traildogbob]

6. A very popular ornamental here

In WNC. But is a very brittle weak species. Extremely
Susceptible to wind and early spring blossoms catch late snow fall and they break all over the place. There are so many just around me that have massive gaps due to breakage. Most around me have taken them out.
Hate to see the Quercus alba was replaced with this.
A strong beautiful hardwood like that oak, versus a weaker than conifer, that is more of a hard weed than a tree. Just the observation of a life long Forest educator that loves Dendrology and knowledges of the hundreds of species that we are blessed to live with in the Appalachian hardwoods.
And a long time member of the IDS, International Dendrology Society,. A World wide tree huggin group of looneys. Educators, writers, professionals, that gather multiple times a year around the globe. To see trees.
Good luck with the Bradfords, but be prepared for lots of broken limbs. Consistently.

[3catwoman3]

7. We lived in Upper Marlboro MD for 8 years, and our neighborhood...

...had Bradford pears everywhere - 2-3 in front of every house in the boulevard strip.

Any time there was an even slightly windy rain storm, we could hear branches snapping like matchsticks throughout the whole neighborhood.

[ms liberty]

8. They're all over NC. So fragile that they'll split if you blow in their direction

They smell terrible and are awful for allergies. And oh yeah, they spread freely and populate. Here in NC the state will give you a native tree in exchange for each Bradford Pear you cut down.
The memes are hilarious at this time of year, because the headline is always something like "how to prune your Bradford Pear" with an arrow pointed at the base of the tree at the ground with the caption "cut here"

[Tanuki]

9. No way! Happy April Fool's Day! 🍐