PlantLegitIs it illegal? › Bradford (Callery) pear › Massachusetts
Is Bradford (Callery) pear illegal in Massachusetts?
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 Massachusetts's official list says
| List / legal category | Listed as | List note | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prohibited plant (MDAR Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List) — no sale, import, trade, purchase, distribution or propagation | Pyrus calleryana | Callery/Bradford pear — phase-out: import/propagation ended 9/19/2024; sales until 12/31/2028 (limited orchard exceptions) | Restricted on a phase-in schedule |
Effective dates
- phase-out: import/propagation ended 9/19/2024; sales until 12/31/2028 (limited orchard exceptions) (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 Massachusetts
- Downy serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea)
- Canadian serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis)
- Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis)
- Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida)
- White fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus)
Each is recorded as native to Massachusetts 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 Illinois Maine Maryland Michigan Minnesota Missouri New Jersey Ohio Pennsylvania South Carolina Vermont Virginia
See every plant on Massachusetts'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.