The future of trees on Main Street in Saxonburg is up in the air after discovering they are an invasive species.
The Callery Pear trees that were installed on Main Street during the 2010 revitalization project are now listed as an invasive species to Pennsylvania. According to a Saxonburg official, the trees are a Class B on the controlled plant and noxious weed list.
According to the Western PA Conservancy, Callery Pears “form dense thickets that push out native plants which are unable to tolerate shade or compete for water, soil, and space. A single Callery pear tree can spread rapidly by seed and vegetative means, forming a sizeable patch within several years.”
Currently there is no plan to remove the trees, but the borough is looking at all options including just trimming the trees until the fall and applying for the Tree Pennsylvania Grant.
There are about 25 trees that need to be up kept and the borough is open to suggestions.
