Drive through my community and you will see buckthorn growing everywhere. I spend a lot of my time pulling up seedings all summer long. I got into it with a neighbor who planted one in his front yard. Fortunately, the new home owner got rid of it, but has seedlings growing right in front of the window. Ugh!!!
Michigan may soon ban sales of this stinky tree and 5 other plants
- The state is proposing to add callery pear and five other plants to its prohibited and restricted species list
- Plants can be added to Michigan’s list if they are non-native and cause harm
- Listed plants cannot be introduced, imported, sold, or possessed in the state
A stinky pear tree may soon no longer be sold in Michigan.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has proposed adding callery pear (sometimes called Bradford or Cleveland pear, among other more vulgar nicknames) and five other plants to the state’s prohibited and restricted species list.
In addition to its reek, callery pear has seeds that easily spread, often resulting in thick rows of trees, which can crowd out native species.
Items can get added to Michigan’s prohibited and restricted species list if they are non-native and cause harm. Plants on the list can’t be introduced, imported, sold or possessed in the state.
But Susie Lott, MDARD’s invasive species program specialist, said the regulations are geared toward sellers, not residents.
“An invasive plant, in particular, just being on your property is not in violation of the law,” she said.
If a plant being considered for the list is not yet well-established in Michigan, it is typically recommended as prohibited. If a plant is already widely grown in the state, then it is typically recommended as restricted. The main distinction between the two terms is that the rules for prohibited plants go into effect sooner than they would for restricted plants.
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MDARD plans to introduce the order at the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development meeting in December. Once it is out, a 30-day comment period will follow. Proposed changes will be presented at a subsequent commission meeting, likely the first meeting after it is introduced.
According to current plans, if the order is signed by the MDARD director, the rules for prohibited plants take effect one month later. The new rules would apply to restricted plants starting in January 2028, to give time for sellers to wind down their supplies but those details could change after the public comment period.
The following plants are being proposed to be added to the list.
Common buckthorn (rhamnus cathartica
Common buckthorn is a leafy green, shade-tolerant shrub with dark purple berries. While widespread in Michigan, it’s native to Europe, Asia and Africa. Common buckthorn reseeds easily and is known for forming thickets that crowd out native species. It also releases chemicals that hurt plants, fish and frogs and is host to a fungus known as oat-crown rust. It’s currently regulated in 13 states — including the five surrounding Michigan — plus all of Canada. MDARD is recommending that it be restricted in Michigan.
Callery pear (pyrus calleryana)
Callery pear is a midsized tree with pretty white flowers that’s popular in suburban yards and along sidewalks. Although it’s well-established in Michigan, the plant is originally from Asia. The tree is known for having an unpleasant fragrance, unpalatable fruit and spreading easily. It’s regulated in eight states and two Canadian provinces. MDARD is recommending it be restricted in Michigan.
Glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus)
This leafy green plant from Eurasia is a shrub or small tree with dark purple berries and glossy leaves. It’s often planted as a hedge, but, like common buckthorn, it easily spreads and can crowd out native plants. It’s currently regulated in 10 states, including the five surrounding Michigan. MDARD is recommending it be restricted in Michigan.
Japanese barberry (berberis thunbergii)
Japanese barberry is a shade-tolerant, ornamental shrub with red or green leaves and red berries. As the name suggests, it’s native to Asia. The plant spreads easily and provides an ideal habitat for ticks that can carry Lyme disease. It is also prone to aphids and mildew. It’s currently regulated in 13 states. MDARD is recommending it be restricted in Michigan.
Water hyacinth (eichornia crassipes)
Water hyacinth is an aquatic species native to South America that grows pretty purple flowers. It is not yet widespread in Michigan, but it’s found in some private ponds and it has been spotted out in the wild in 13 counties. It can crowd out waterways, forming dense floating mats that quickly spread. It’s regulated in 11 states and two Canadian provinces. MDARD is recommending it be prohibited in Michigan.
Water lettuce (pistia stratiotes)
The aptly named plant looks like lettuce growing on water. The aquatic species is native to South America, Africa and Asia. Not yet widespread in Michigan, it has been observed in 16 counties. It’s fast-growing, increases pollutants and reduces oxygen in water. It’s currently regulated in eight states and two Canadian provinces. MDARD is recommending it be prohibited in Michigan.
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This article first appeared on Bridge Michigan and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
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