PDA Bans Callery Pear with Two-Year Ban Phase-in and Sterile Cultivar Exceptions

Harrisburg – The Controlled Plant and Noxious Weed Committee (CPNWC) of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) on November 17^th voted to ban the sale, growing or distribution of Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana) in Pennsylvania.

Enforcement of the ban will be phased in over two years, following the pattern the Department adopted with the barberry (Berberis thunbergii) ban last July.

Also, as with barberry, the Department will be accepting applications for exceptions to the Callery pear ban for sterile cultivars of the species.

More information on the enforcement phase-in and the process for applying for exceptions for sterile cultivars can be found at by clicking here. While the information at this link applies to barberry, it is anticipated that the Callery pear ban will follow similar process.

For questions on the plant bans, call PDA at 717.787.7204 or email at RA-plant@pa.gov.