Resolution to conduct study on Bradford pear trees passes TN House
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — One of the first signs of spring is the white flowers blooming on a Bradford pear tree. However, some lawmakers highlight that these trees are bad for Tennessee.
The Bradford pear tree, already banned in three states, is now under scrutiny in Tennessee. Rep. Clay Doggett (R-Pulaski) is encouraging colleagues to support a statewide study of the negative, or otherwise, impact of the Bradford pear tree. House Resolution 150, which Doggett sponsors, has passed unanimously and is headed to the Senate for consideration.
Resolution seeks study on impact of Bradford pear tree in Tennessee
According to the resolution, the tree grows in more than half the counties in Tennessee and is invasive, brittle, smelly, and damaging to the ecosystem.
Despite this, Bradford pears are still sold at local nurseries like Evergreen of Johnson City. Operations manager Andrew Valk said he often tells customers there are much better options.
'We kind of pause the conversation there and maybe understand why they think they need a Bradford pear,' said Valk. 'And then we try to suggest other trees because they are not the best tree. If they want, like, a medium-sized tree that's 15 or 18 feet tall a redbud crabapple are good strong options. There's also a lot of cherries that do well, that's an ornamental tree that does really well, that small scape-gardening.'
Valk agrees the trees are a nuisance. He told News Channel 11 that the brittle, narrow trunk splits open easily during storms. He says the biggest issue is that the non-native tree crowds areas where it constricts the growth of other native plants and animal life.
If the study were to eventually lead to a ban on selling the tree in Tennessee, Valk said it may hurt business, but just for a bit.
'It would definitely decrease it a little bit,' Valk said. 'But we really think that it would be a little dip but set us up for a stronger recovery, because there's so many other trees that are a lot better.'
The resolution, if passed, would call for the UT Institute of Agriculture to submit its report and findings about the Bradford pear tree to lawmakers by April 30, 2026.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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