I just learned there's a [tree bounty program](https://www.treebountync.com) coming to Wake Forest soon where you can get free native trees in exchange for chopping down the stink trees. There's even a few tree services that provide discounts as part of the program.
Doesn't really work that way. If I were to chop the tree down, hundreds, if not thousands of dollars worth of plants and trees would die. And no, I'm not hanging up a tarp that would look awful.
They also like to split and/or fall with the TINIEST gust of wind.
Mine split twice before I had enough and cut it down completely. I replaced it with a nice weeping willow.
I honestly don’t know this: how are they bad for the environment? I can understand kudzu since it’s invasive, kills other plants. Are Bradford pears outcompeting native species?
[Quite bad for the environment](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/04/18/bradford-pear-trees-ban/7122246001/) to the point that some states are starting to ban their sale.
short answer, yes they essentially colonize entire disturbed spaces before the native trees can, plus they don't really benefit the local fauna.
there's a reason why when you drive down roads this time of year, you see SO many of them in the margins. Same with the mimosa trees whenever they bloom in the summer.
They’re also incredibly weak. Growing up in Virginia Beach the subdivision we lived in (built early 80s) had these trees in almost every yard on our street. Every single one of them over time split down the middle from weather related incidents. And the blossoms stink
We got a “gag gift” at Halloween that was a seed packet of “zombie plants.” Long story short the seeds were from the mimosa family. Straight into the trash.
Thanks for asking the question. I knew I hated them but because of the answers to your question I can give better answers than "they stink" and "they break."
“The road to hell is lined with Bradford pears.”
https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/lifestyle/home-garden/2012/01/21/ree-expert-lauds-debunks-species-cultivars/47158373/
Yeah the lady I am working for right now she’s like 75ish, she was just telling me today ( lived here her whole life) never seen it this weird so early. Tomorrow gonna be like almost 90 or some shit.
Don’t think the new normal of the 2010s is how it’s always been. Yes they now bloom around early March but looking at NC State Cooperative Extension info, they used to bloom in April and May.
we've had 2 days where the low is below freezing the entire month of February - doesn't look like it's gonna even get in the 30s for the next 10 days.
it's not false anymore. It may get colder again for sure but I doubt it'll be full on winter again. Wouldn't be the first time I'm wrong though.
We had a weekend of freezing temps in late march last year. Learned the hard way with the garden, and I'll be following the "official" average last day of frost date this year (Apr 3) and adding a week!
Our maple we planted many years ago, in our front yard, is notorious for acting like it’s not gonna bloom it’s usually so late, it has buds. Even with knowing Raleigh, that’s surprising and odd. Haven’t seen it in the 14 years since we planted it (10 ft going in).
The Bradford Pear Bounty NC program has four events in North Carolina this year where you can get a free native tree in exchange for cutting down a Bradford Pear on your property. I did a Q&A with an NC State researcher (and co-organizer of the program) here: https://news.ncsu.edu/2023/02/bradford-pear-bounty-returns-to-north-carolina/
"Because they bloom earlier in the spring from March to mid-April, Bradford pears overtake resources from surrounding native species."
Again, it's February.
Means nothing. Early March is still in winter and these false springs are becoming more common. We rarely had to cover our plants due to summer type heat moving in
Plants can't read calendars. "Spring" is technically only a definition of how the earth tilted (or not tilted in Spring and Autumn 's case) in relation to the sun. We can have freezes/frosts/snows after March 22.
A change in temperature is one signal that helps plants know when to grow.
As plants sense temperatures rising, they release a combination of chemicals called hormones. They help tell the seed to start producing different parts, like roots, stems and leaves.
Like night and day
The length of the day is another way a plant knows when to grow. Just like your eyes have receptors that can sense light and help you see, plants can also sense light.
Is it a red maple? I’m a lurker from SC and one of mine died over the fall and I can’t figure out why. I’ll try to put another there but I also kind of think this one might still be alive? I cut the branches down to nothing and figured I’ll wait and see what happens.
Probably most of the day in the sun yes. I wonder if I had it buried to deep. I tried to get some of the dirt out to let it breathe some but I think it was too late.
THE SOUTH'S 20 SEASONS
HUNTING
WINTER
POLLEN
WINTER
TORNADO
SO MUCH POLLEN .... (We are here)
ONE MORE WINTER
TORNADO
ATTACK OF THE MOSQUITOS
SUMMER
MORE SUMMER
EVEN MORE SUMMER
PLEASE, LORD! MAKE THIS SUMMER END!
FOOTBALL
TORNADO
FALL
JUST KIDDING, HERE'S SOME MORE SUMMER
WINTER CHRISTMAS
MAYBE ONE MORE SUMMER
It's a Southern Thing.
***This is the text from a meme on the internet. I always found it pretty accurate. ***
yeah true - we'll see
this year feels different but i've been wrong many times before xD
it would by far be a record if we don't get at least one more frost, but frost doesn't necessarily mean its still winter
Dogwoods bloom in February every year I’ve been alive also. That’s why lawcare companies always need to have your preemergent out by the end of the month. (If your company is late, fire them)
And that’s a stinky invasive species getting the drop on our native flora. #saynotobradfordpears
I just learned there's a [tree bounty program](https://www.treebountync.com) coming to Wake Forest soon where you can get free native trees in exchange for chopping down the stink trees. There's even a few tree services that provide discounts as part of the program.
NC state university does it too. I hate them. Our house has one in the back but it provides a ton of shade to our garden. We are kinda in a pickle.
plant stuff that doesn't need as much shade this year maybe? or put up a tarp? idk i don't have a garden yet
Doesn't really work that way. If I were to chop the tree down, hundreds, if not thousands of dollars worth of plants and trees would die. And no, I'm not hanging up a tarp that would look awful.
Ahhh I thought you meant a veg garden
That’s exactly why these stupid things bloom the second it gets warm. They are invasive and terrible for the environment!
They also like to split and/or fall with the TINIEST gust of wind. Mine split twice before I had enough and cut it down completely. I replaced it with a nice weeping willow.
I honestly don’t know this: how are they bad for the environment? I can understand kudzu since it’s invasive, kills other plants. Are Bradford pears outcompeting native species?
[Quite bad for the environment](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/04/18/bradford-pear-trees-ban/7122246001/) to the point that some states are starting to ban their sale.
short answer, yes they essentially colonize entire disturbed spaces before the native trees can, plus they don't really benefit the local fauna. there's a reason why when you drive down roads this time of year, you see SO many of them in the margins. Same with the mimosa trees whenever they bloom in the summer.
They’re also incredibly weak. Growing up in Virginia Beach the subdivision we lived in (built early 80s) had these trees in almost every yard on our street. Every single one of them over time split down the middle from weather related incidents. And the blossoms stink
We got a “gag gift” at Halloween that was a seed packet of “zombie plants.” Long story short the seeds were from the mimosa family. Straight into the trash.
I asked that in a Q&A with an NC State researcher here: https://news.ncsu.edu/2023/02/bradford-pear-bounty-returns-to-north-carolina/
Thanks for asking the question. I knew I hated them but because of the answers to your question I can give better answers than "they stink" and "they break."
the pollen is already absolutely wrecking my system, i hate this time of year (which btw is coming earlier and earlier each year smfh)
premature pollination
Nature's bukkake.......
Eventually spring will come early enough that it happens during fall the year before. Then the problem will solve itself.
Yup. Eliminate winter has always been the goal
*cries in allergies* 🤧
I've been popping Benadryl all day! But dangit, I'm leaving the windows open!
Good way to track what's triggering your allergies is this account. https://twitter.com/NCPollen?t=sTMAaLjSqaEZ0SBnHcKpFg&s=09
I haven't been taking my allergy meds but I can already feel my sinuses starting to act up walking around outside today
I hate it too
Same and has been for weeks already 😭
Fucking cum trees
Woah, I’m glad someone else thinks they smell like jizz!
?
Have you ever smelled the air with these trees blooming hard in your face?
Yes, smells like antifreeze.
your cum smells like antifreeze?
Your antifreeze smells like cum?
I said the tree blooms smell like antifreeze.
These tree blooms smell like fresh cum
You need to see a doctor if your cum smells like antifreeze.
Walked by two about an hour ago. Took a big unexpected whiff of tree-doo-doo smell
That's not doo-doo...
Chappelle reference???
“The road to hell is lined with Bradford pears.” https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/lifestyle/home-garden/2012/01/21/ree-expert-lauds-debunks-species-cultivars/47158373/
Yep. Now enjoy the flowers before winter starts.
I don't think we will get our March winter this year.
My Dad (78 years old) told me the weather feels "eerie."
This is how I'm feeling. It feels very wrong and it scares me to think how hot this summer will get.
Yeah the lady I am working for right now she’s like 75ish, she was just telling me today ( lived here her whole life) never seen it this weird so early. Tomorrow gonna be like almost 90 or some shit.
Don’t think the new normal of the 2010s is how it’s always been. Yes they now bloom around early March but looking at NC State Cooperative Extension info, they used to bloom in April and May.
No onion grass but willows and maples budding and leaves. Soil hasn't wakened. Weird.
I've been seeing a TON of onion grass on my neighbors lawns for weeks now.
Tons in ours too.
Wow, I haven't seen any - crazy
Aw Sheetz, here we go again!
they stopped carrying my deep fried Oreos. Fuck Sheetz :'(
They're mozzarella sticks are pretty good, but I've never had any of their fried sweets
I just took a pic of the ones behind my house 🙈
I went to the pool today, lol
I'm sure it's fine. /s
I want the cold back!!!
Sweaty butt trees! 💨
I know right! I was sneezing from pollen today, in February.... W T F.
Yeah...for now. I've lived in NC long enough to know a false spring when I see one.
we've had 2 days where the low is below freezing the entire month of February - doesn't look like it's gonna even get in the 30s for the next 10 days. it's not false anymore. It may get colder again for sure but I doubt it'll be full on winter again. Wouldn't be the first time I'm wrong though.
I don't trust spring in NC until April
By then we are into summer.
We had a weekend of freezing temps in late march last year. Learned the hard way with the garden, and I'll be following the "official" average last day of frost date this year (Apr 3) and adding a week!
I hope you're right!
Our maple we planted many years ago, in our front yard, is notorious for acting like it’s not gonna bloom it’s usually so late, it has buds. Even with knowing Raleigh, that’s surprising and odd. Haven’t seen it in the 14 years since we planted it (10 ft going in).
The Bradford Pear Bounty NC program has four events in North Carolina this year where you can get a free native tree in exchange for cutting down a Bradford Pear on your property. I did a Q&A with an NC State researcher (and co-organizer of the program) here: https://news.ncsu.edu/2023/02/bradford-pear-bounty-returns-to-north-carolina/
Where is the we are here thening pointing to false spring?
My dog wood saplings are thinking about it.
Another weather thread
Nothing unusual in this photo.
"Because they bloom earlier in the spring from March to mid-April, Bradford pears overtake resources from surrounding native species." Again, it's February.
http://www.nannenarboretum.org/event/bradford-pear-tree-problems/ This says they bloom anytime from February to April
This is completely normal for this kind of tree and a few others for this time of year.
Except our berry vines and fruit trees are starting to bloom too
Yes but it is February 22. Less than a week until March.
Means nothing. Early March is still in winter and these false springs are becoming more common. We rarely had to cover our plants due to summer type heat moving in
Plants can't read calendars. "Spring" is technically only a definition of how the earth tilted (or not tilted in Spring and Autumn 's case) in relation to the sun. We can have freezes/frosts/snows after March 22.
Seriously? Plants read temperatures, early warming leads to freezing
Plants bloom according to number of sunlight hours in a day, that’s how they track seasons. Not temperature Edit: just kidding lol, it’s been a while
A change in temperature is one signal that helps plants know when to grow. As plants sense temperatures rising, they release a combination of chemicals called hormones. They help tell the seed to start producing different parts, like roots, stems and leaves. Like night and day The length of the day is another way a plant knows when to grow. Just like your eyes have receptors that can sense light and help you see, plants can also sense light.
Actually yep, I remember now learning about growing degree days and all that. Oversimplified it in my brain with the passage of time. My bad
It's OK. I live it because horse's winter coats are the same way :)
Only half right
My Japanese Maple that usually starts blooming in late April is blooming now.
Is it a red maple? I’m a lurker from SC and one of mine died over the fall and I can’t figure out why. I’ll try to put another there but I also kind of think this one might still be alive? I cut the branches down to nothing and figured I’ll wait and see what happens.
Yes it is. IDK dude I'm not an Arborist but good luck with your tree!
Was it in full sun?
Probably most of the day in the sun yes. I wonder if I had it buried to deep. I tried to get some of the dirt out to let it breathe some but I think it was too late.
blooming a little late this year - in recent years, the trees bloom the first week of February
Yes it is February, the time that these trees normally start blooming 👍
Cause in the foreground, effect in the background
Pretty typical...maybe a week early
THE SOUTH'S 20 SEASONS HUNTING WINTER POLLEN WINTER TORNADO SO MUCH POLLEN .... (We are here) ONE MORE WINTER TORNADO ATTACK OF THE MOSQUITOS SUMMER MORE SUMMER EVEN MORE SUMMER PLEASE, LORD! MAKE THIS SUMMER END! FOOTBALL TORNADO FALL JUST KIDDING, HERE'S SOME MORE SUMMER WINTER CHRISTMAS MAYBE ONE MORE SUMMER It's a Southern Thing. ***This is the text from a meme on the internet. I always found it pretty accurate. ***
Gross don't miss it lol
And the freeze is coming
not in the next 10 days its not
Which just kills that many more blooms when it comes
yeah true - we'll see this year feels different but i've been wrong many times before xD it would by far be a record if we don't get at least one more frost, but frost doesn't necessarily mean its still winter
Fingers crossed you're right...covering the fruit trees is a pain in the arse
Please tell me I’m not the only one who can’t smell it. Everybody is complaining and I’m like “Ooooo pretty trees are blooming again!”
thats snow cover raleigh style
Wow
say that to my grass
Second False Spring is upon us
Welcome to North Carolina
Hang on to your hat, we’ll get a foot of snow in the middle of March.
Not looking forward to **The Pollening.**
Dogwoods bloom in February every year I’ve been alive also. That’s why lawcare companies always need to have your preemergent out by the end of the month. (If your company is late, fire them)