Bradford Pear Tree Bounty

Sustainable Blacksburg has extended their Bradford Pear tree bounty from once a year to all year long!

Visit the Sustainable Blacksburg website for details on how to remove a Bradford pear tree from your property and receive a young, native tree with a protective tree tube in return (limit 2).

Remove Bradford pear trees from your property and replace them with free native trees

* New River Valley property owners (homeowners and businesses) may obtain a free, native replacement tree for a Bradford pear tree removed from their property, a one-for-one replacement (limit 2). We will also consider applicants from beyond the NRV if you’re in the region covered by the Plant SWVA Natives Campaign and you can come to the NRV to retrieve your tree.

*This program is intended for Bradford pear trees that are planted in managed landscapes (e.g., yards). Wild Callery pears – those that grow in ditches, fields, and other natural areas and typically have sharp thorns – are not eligible for the exchange.

*Only the property owner can apply and get the tree(s).

*Property owners are responsible for the tree removal(s).

*Submit a before and after photo (i.e., a picture of the tree standing and a picture of the tree on the ground/cut) via email to sustainableblacksburgva@gmail.com. Include your name and the address of the property where the tree was removed.

*We have made this an ongoing program, so submit your photos anytime. Tree types may change, but we will have trees available so submit your pictures and we will work with you to get your tree(s) and tree tube(s) to you.

*If you are managing a public space (park, school, church, etc), you can qualify for exchange of more than two trees, including for removal of wild trees on your property.

*Specific tree species cannot be guaranteed, but provide your first and second choice trees and we will accommodate a preferred choice as we are able.


Plant SWVA Natives Newsletter January 2025

Bareroot Distribution is Back

Two packages on offer this year with six plants each package, two of each species. The BIRD PACKAGE has 2 buttonbush, 2 elderberry, and 2 flowering dogwood. The BUTTERFLY PACKAGE has 2 false indigobush, 2 spicebush, and 2 pawpaw. Three pickup locations, Floyd Farmer’s Market, Veteran Park in Radford, and Wong Park in Blacksburg. We also have deer tubes, both biodegradable and used, for sale. Reserve your plants today. Packages are limited.  We still have a few Plant for Life signs left. You can order yours for pickup with your bareroots. 

Opportunities

Free Riparian Forest Buffers! Application deadline January 31! Interested in having a riparian forest buffer installed on your Virginia property through the Virginia Department of Forestry's Riparian Forests for Landowner Program? Planting sites must be 300' from a creek. Funding is on a first come, first served basis, so apply today. More information & application here. 

Floyd Native Plants is looking for people interested in a native plant slope stabilization opportunity. If you have an area that might benefit from stabilization and other methods have not worked it might be time to give native plants a try. More info here. 

Education Spotlight

Winter Reading List The Northern Virginia Conservation Trust put this list together celebrating some interesting folks who deeply connect to the land. Something inspiring for everyone! 

Events 

Many great events are happening this Winter.  Visit our website for details. Submit your upcoming event to plantswvanatives@gmail.com


Nursery Survey Committee

Nursery Survey Committee

A project to encourage the sale of more native plants by local garden centers is underway. Members of the Roanoke Master Gardeners, Roanoke Master Naturalists, Blue Ridge Wildflower Society, and other individuals will be visiting garden centers in the Roanoke Valley to compile a list of what native plants are offered. The information will be made available to the public to encourage them to ask for native plants at these garden centers. We hope the survey will promote the value of native plants and encourage garden centers to prompt their suppliers to grow more native plants, as well as a wider variety of native plants.