Callery Pear trees are invasive, foul-smelling, and harmful to Ohio’s suburban, urban, and rural landscapes. Help reduce their spread during Pearmageddon!

Now through April 2, Butler County residents who remove a Callery Pear, invasive Burning Bush, or Japanese Barberry from their property can receive a free native plant from MetroParks. These invasive species outcompete indigenous plants and quickly spread into natural areas, replacing vegetation that Ohio wildlife depends on. They provide little to no food or habitat for native birds, insects, and pollinators.

By removing invasive plants and replacing them with native species, you can help restore local habitats and support the wildlife that call Butler County home.

Ready your chainsaws and join us to help our environment become more healthy (and less smelly) this spring! 

Pearmageddon Requirements:

Pearmageddon is open only to Butler County residents, while supplies last. Limit one plant or tree per household. Participants must be able to pick up their native plant on:

Saturday, April 4th
Rentschler Forest MetroPark
9:00 a.m - 11:00 a.m. 

Participants will also need to submit a picture of themselves (or a family member) with their cut tree or shrub. All information will be collected in the Pearmageddon Submission Form. Click here to access the form. 

Native Replacement Plants Include: 

• Allegheny Serviceberry
• Eastern Redbud
• Flowering Dogwood
• Arrowwood Viburnum
• Common Ninebark
• Red Chokeberry
• Red Osier Dogwood
• Spicebush

Need help identifying a Callery Pear, Burning Bush or Japanese Barberry? Looking for stump treatment options so these plants don't return? Visit our blog post for helpful tips.