HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Looking for an alternative for those Bradford pear trees in your yard?

The deciduous trees are known for their beautiful spring blossoms, fast growth and tidy, symmetrical shape, but also for their invasive tendencies and weak branch structure.

The Hendersonville Tree Board and N.C. State University are sponsoring a Bradford Pear Bounty, an invasive tree replacement program that rewards property owners for removing harmful species from their land.

Volunteers loading trees on participant’s trailer (Photo credit: City of Hendersonville)
Cars driving into Bradford Pear Bounty Event at the City of Hendersonville Operations Center (Photo credit: City of Hendersonville)
Volunteer assisting event participant (Photo credit: City of Hendersonville)

Through this program, participants who remove invasive trees from their property can receive free native trees or plants in exchange. To qualify, you must own property within the city of Hendersonville or its ETJ (extraterritorial jurisdiction) and register on the Bradford Pear Bounty website. Several local tree-care service providers are also offering discounts for those participating in the program. A list of participating providers can be found here.

The event will take place 9-11 a.m. Saturday, April 12, at the City of Hendersonville Operations Center, 305 Williams St. Pre-registration is required, and participants must provide a photo of an invasive species they have removed or treated with herbicide. Only homeowners are eligible to register and receive replacement trees.

More than 200 native trees will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration does not guarantee a tree, so early arrival is encouraged.

To register and learn more, click here.