This is the final show for York's flowering Bradford Pear trees: Removal coming in August
(This story was updated to change or add a video.)
You may love them for their showering white canopy or hate their pungent smell, but this spring is the final show for York's iconic white flowering Bradford Pear trees. Here since the 1970s, all will be removed starting this August as a new chapter for downtown York's tree-lined Market Street begins.
Softly leading into the announcement of their demise during an Arbor Day tree planting at Penn Park April 8, 2025 in front of the student body of Jackson Elementary School, Tom Landis, superintendent of York City Parks and Recreation, described how some of the trees in the park marked with an 'X' on them had reached the end of their lives.
Referring to some of the historic Penn Park trees, Landis began, 'It is sad to see those trees go. Be assured we are committed to put two to three trees back where that tree will be coming out.'
The children helped plant several new trees during the event, and one has a plaque at the roots dedicated to the class with the current date so they can come back, watch it grow taller over the coming decades, and remember the day.
The lesson about the cycle of life for the children led into the announcement by Landis about the Bradford Pears: 'Although the news may catch some residents off guard, the replacement is necessary due to the declining health of those trees.'
The trees have grown considerably since the 1980s when then Mayor William Althaus could be seen striding past the young trees beneath the fresh balconies of the newly restored National House. They were planted in the mid-1970s. Over the years, the girth of their upward shooting branches have become prone to cracking off and have become a hazard.
'The time has come to move forward with the tree removal project to preserve the beauty of our downtown area while ensuring the safety of travel for pedestrians and motorists,' Landis said.
A native of Southeast Asia, the tree introduced to the U.S as a popular planting beginning in the 1960s, what seemed like a good idea is now banned due to their invasive nature.
More: Bradford Pear trees: Foliage or foe? The not-so-sweet truth about popular landscape plant
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture website, 'Callery pear, Pyrus calleryana, was added to the Pennsylvania noxious weed list in November 2021.' After a tightening list of restrictions since that date, a Stop Sale/Destruction order was issued to plant merchants selling or distributing Callery Pear, also known as a Bradford Pear in 2022.
After York public works removes the trees, the city will partner with The Rotary Club of York to pay for removing the stumps, restoration of the tree wells and planting new trees in time for fall, Landis said.
According to Landis, two different varieties of trees will be planted, one will be flowering. The city will provide more details about the new trees at a later date Landis said.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Planted in the 1970s, York's Bradford Pear trees' days are numbered
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Handwashing sinks in food prep area water was shut off. In the back kitchen replace soiled ceiling tiles, remove build of grease on storage area. Potentially hazardous ready-to-eat food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 48 hours, located in the refrigerator, is not being date marked. Sunset Mexican Ice Cream Shop, 835-9 Hiester Lane Unit 8, May 14: one violation. Potentially hazardous ready-to-eat food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 48 hours, located in the cooler, is not being date marked. McDonalds 44204000, 400 Lancaster Ave., May 13: no violations. Wawa, 413 Lancaster Ave., May 13: no violations. Wendys 44209300, 920 Lancaster Ave., May 13: two violations. Observed prepping & frying equipment, in prep area, with an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, debris on non-food contact surfaces. Floors, walls and surrounding areas in need of degreasing and cleanliness. Dunkin Donuts, 645 Penn St., May 12: two violations. Male's toilet is loose, secure toilet properly. Men's toilet room is not provided with a covered waste receptacle for sanitary napkins. Paradise Island Smoothies, 733 Lancaster Ave., May 12: five violations. Outdated milk held in the cooler in the front and also in the rear cooler. Potentially hazardous ready-to-eat food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 48 hours, located in the cooler, is not being date marked. Old food residue, dishes and utensils observed in the handwash sink, indicating uses other than handwashing. Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available or readily accessible in front cooler equipment. Soap was not available at the handwash sink in the front area. BK Fuel Inc., 928 N. 13th St., May 8: no violations. PB Fuel Inc., 1800 N. 5th St., May 8: two are not being hung to air dry. Paper towels not available in restroom/or hand dryer. Shri Gasoline LLC, 2101 Centre Ave., May 8: two violations. Potentially hazardous ready-to-eat food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 48 hours, located in the cooler, is not being date marked. Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available or readily accessible in refrigerated cooler equipment. Diaz Grocery & Restaurant, 924 Franklin St., May 7: six violations. Potentially hazardous ready-to-eat food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 48 hours, located in the cooler, is not being date marked. Prepped Food in the cooler area stored open with no covering. The handwash sink in the prep area being used as a food preparation sink as evidenced by observed residue of food in the sink. Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available or readily accessible in refrigerated cooler equipment. No sign or poster posted at the handwash sink in the food prep area to remind food employees to wash their hands. Mops are not being hung to air dry. UPDATES The following reports for the period of April 23 to May 6, 2025, were added to the state's database after May 8 and did not appear in the previous Berks food safety report. Muhlenberg Township Holy Guardian Angels Regional School, 3125 Kutztown Road, May 5: no violations. Wegman's Restaurant, 4401 Pottsville Pike, May 2: three violations. Wooden handled utensils with cracks/splits observed; not able to be cleaned adequately. Corrected on inspection/discarded. Cutting boards (multi-colored) stained/soiled. Correcting on inspection (soaking in bleach). Fan guards in walk-in refrigerator soiled. Wire shelving in reach-in refrigerator soiled. Chipping paint on ceiling is not a smooth, cleanable surface., and potentially contaminates food. Multiple areas on the floor / wall / ceiling in the main kitchen area are cracked / roughened / and are not a smooth, easily cleanable surface.
