PlantLegitIs it illegal? › Bradford (Callery) pear › Missouri
Is Bradford (Callery) pear illegal in Missouri?
Sources (4)
- 2 CSR 70-45 Noxious Weed Rules (Missouri SOS, PDF) – Missouri Secretary of State (CSR)
- RSMo § 263.190 (Missouri Revisor)
- Missouri Dept. of Agriculture — noxious weed list
- RSMo § 263.070 (nursery dealer affidavit; Callery pear, burning bush, Japanese honeysuckle and others) – Missouri Revisor of Statutes
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 Missouri's official list says
| List / legal category | Listed as | List note | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursery-dealer prohibition (RSMo § 263.070.5(1)(d)) — registered nursery dealers may not knowingly import, export, buy, sell, transport, distribute or propagate it | Pyrus calleryana | Callery pear, all varieties and cultivars — prohibited from January 1, 2029 | Restricted on a phase-in schedule |
Effective dates
- prohibited from January 1, 2029 (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 Missouri
- Downy serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea)
- Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis)
- Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida)
- White fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus)
- American plum (Prunus americana)
Each is recorded as native to Missouri 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 Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota New Jersey Ohio Pennsylvania South Carolina Vermont Virginia
See every plant on Missouri'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.