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Huber Heights cites safety, ecology in plan to remove invasive pear street trees
Summary
City leaders approved an Arbor Day proclamation and Parks & Recreation Board member Rich Moore said the city will remove nearly 180 invasive Callery/Bradford pear trees with a $100,000 state-administered federal grant and replant at a 2:1 ratio, distributing roughly 300 saplings already.
Huber Heights proclaimed April 24, 2026 as Arbor Day and announced a plan to remove a large number of invasive Callery (Bradford/Cleveland) pear trees from streets and parks.
Rich Moore of the Parks and Recreation Board explained the rationale: the pears are prolific and brittle, causing mounting maintenance costs and risks to pedestrians and vehicles as they age. "We received a $100,000 to help remove, and we will be able to replace every tree at a 2 to 1 ratio," Moore said, and added the city has already given away "almost 300 trees, saplings" to residents. He estimated about 180 trees would be removed from city property, including near the former city hall and Metro Park.
City officials emphasized the removals will be coordinated with grant funding and a replanting plan intended to increase species diversity and long-term resilience. Staff said replacements will be native and "hardier, something more diverse" so that street canopies are safer and more ecologically appropriate. The Arbor Day proclamation was read into the record by the mayor and the council acknowledged the Parks Board’s Heritage Tree recognition as part of the presentation.
Next steps announced at the meeting include the public tree giveaway on April 25 and further public information from Parks & Recreation about where removals will occur and the replacement schedule.
