Callery Pear Bounty Program

The RCGC has hosted its first invasive species bounty program in collaboration with Old Rag Master Naturalists, the VA Dept of Forestry, and Blue Ridge PRISM. The targeted invasive species is Pyrus Calleryana commonly know as the Bradford Pear or Callery Pear. These invasives have taken over large swaths of Rappahannock county effectively crowding out native species like dogwoods, redbuds, service berries, etc. Calleryanas also have ornery thorns and stinky flowers.

These bounty programs aim to encourage our courageous residents to remove or kill invasive species on their property and replace them with free native trees that are ready to plant and donated through the VA Dept. of Forestry.

Please stay tuned for announcements of additional programs to help reduce the impact of invasive species.