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Is Bradford (Callery) pear illegal in Illinois?
Sources (3)
Also called: Callery pear, Pyrus calleryana, incl. Bradford, Cleveland Select, Aristocrat. Last checked against official sources: 2026-10-14.
Federal noxious weed list (7 CFR 360.200): Bradford (Callery) pear is not listed.
What Illinois's official list says
| List / legal category | Listed as | List note | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exotic weed (17 Ill. Adm. Code 1100.30, Illinois Exotic Weed Act) — no buying, selling, distributing or planting without an IDNR permit | Pyrus calleryana | callery pear — exotic weed starting January 1, 2028 | Restricted on a phase-in schedule |
Effective dates
- exotic weed starting January 1, 2028 (from the official list entry)
Already have it in your yard?
Phase-in laws generally target nurseries and sellers on the dates shown. Plants already in the ground are typically not covered by sale bans; read the linked law for your situation.
Native alternatives for Illinois
- Downy serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea)
- Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis)
- Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida)
- American plum (Prunus americana)
Each is recorded as native to Illinois in the USDA NRCS PLANTS Database state distribution (retrieved 2026-10-14). Check size, sun and soil fit for your site with your local Extension office.
More native swaps with hardiness, light and size →
Bradford (Callery) pear in other states
Connecticut Delaware Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Missouri New Jersey Ohio Pennsylvania South Carolina Vermont Virginia
See every plant on Illinois's invasive & noxious plant lists, or check any plant.
Not legal advice. PlantLegit summarizes official lists and links the source. Laws change, local (county/city) rules may add restrictions, and the official text controls. "What it means" is our plain-English label; read the exact list wording. Confirm with the agency before buying, selling or removing plants. Full disclaimer.