2026 Reduce Invasive Species Challenge


This year MC-IRIS has chosen to focus our education and control efforts on THREE invasive plant species! If you remove Callery pear, tree of heaven, or Asian bush honeysuckle from your land you are eligible for a $30 gift certificate to be used at our Sept. 12 Native Plant Sale at the Maintenance Building in Switchyard Park. 
Callery pear, tree of heaven, and Asian bush honeysuckle have escaped from city green spaces, residential yards, and business landscaping throughout Monroe County.  They spread easily to neighboring properties, along right-of-way corridors, and into our surrounding forests and fields, negatively impacting our biodiversity and watersheds. For more information on the identification and control of these species, click below on the name above the picture.

Eligible Invasive Species
(Click the species name for more information)

                     Callery Pear                               Tree of Heaven                              Asian Bush Honeysuckle  

Note - if you are removing Callery pear or tree of heaven you are also eligible for funding to reimburse costs for its removal, up to $400/applicant. More details and the application form here.

Also Note - two local businesses are providing discounts for the removal of Callery pears and trees of heaven!
Bluestone Tree
[email protected]
812-824-3335
https://bluestonetree.com/

Discount offer:
  • 1 tree- 15% discount 
  • 2-5 trees- 25%
  • 6-10 trees- 30%
  • 11-30 trees- 35%
  • Over 30 trees- 40%
Norman Arbor Care & Gardens
[email protected]
812-371-2142
https://normanarborandgardens.com/

Discount offer:
$100.00 off the proposed bid for a removal of a Callery Pear. We also plant trees and shrubs, and would be happy to provide bids to those residents interested in having their 1-2" native replacement tree planted for them

How to Get Your $30 Gift Certificate

Remove a Callery pear or tree of heaven that's over 2" diameter or an Asian bush honeysuckle that is over 3' tall from your land and you will receive a $30 gift certificate to be used at our Sept. 12 Native Plant Sale at the Maintenance Building in Switchyard Park. The tree or shrub either needs to have the roots removed or the stump treated with herbicide. You can use the certificate towards a replacement tree or shrub or any of the perennial plants at the sale. In the application (linked below) you must upload a before and after cutting picture of the invasive tree or shrub.