Is This Smelly Tree Banned in Arkansas?

The official start to the spring season is not until March 19 but it sure seems like it's already here with trees blooming everywhere. Did you know the World's Smelliest Tree just might be in your yard?

Bradford Pear

The tree is known as the "World's Smelliest Tree", the  Bradford Pear may look beautiful but looks can be deceiving when the tree is blooming the white flowers give off a stench in the air that smells like rotting fish but don't worry that awful smell won't last long, it's part of the pollinating process the tree emits to attract pollinators. And if the odor is not coming from a tree in your yard it may be coming from your next-door neighbor's yard. The good news is that the gut-wrenching smell will only last until the white flowers fall off the tree.

The Bradford Pear is a common tree found in the eastern United States and was introduced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the 1960s because the tree was easy to grow and affordable and is considered an ornamental tree from its origin in China and Vietnam. See more on the Bradford Pear trees in Arkansas here.

That foul fish smell is just part of nature's ecosystem just as flowers emit a sweet smell to attract pollinators the Bradford pear does just the opposite but with a bad smell.

Banned States

The Bradford Pear has already been banned as of February 2024 in Ohio, and South Carolina and Pennsylvania have joined in and they will be illegal to sell beginning in October of this year.

So far they are not banned in Arkansas or Texas.

Bradford pear trees are self-incompatible meaning that two Bradford pear trees will not bear fruit but if cross-pollinated with other pear trees it's likely to produce a tiny pear which is good for birds but very poisonous to dogs.

The tree's branches are another concern for farmers and ranchers as they don't hold up very well under storms and wind the branches can easily break off and cause damage, according to conservation agencies.

According to the U.S. Forest Service just because a tree looks pretty or can adapt to the climate conditions doesn't always make it a great tree for your yard.

Other Trees That Smell Bad

Trees that Smell Good

Magnolia Tree - smells like a sweet perfume

Sassafras Tree - smells like Fruit Loops when you scratch the bark

Mimosa Tree - pink blossoms give off a pleasantly sweet fragrance

See the list of the Top 5 Most Fragrant Trees

With the Spring season comes allergy season and lots of pollen from trees but you still can't beat this time of the year one of my favorites of the year.

Just stay away from the Bradford Pear until the white petals fall off.