STILLWATER — They sprinkle the landscape with blasts of white flowers and serve as a reminder that spring is here.

Their beautiful blooms are appealing to the eye, not so much the nose, but definitely the eye. Bradford pear trees, among other invasive species, have become a popular choice for landowners over the years to add beauty to their property.

However, that beauty spreads like wildfire into other areas and chokes out native plant life.

“This attractive tree is common in landscapes across much of eastern Oklahoma and is beginning to invade adjacent prairie and forest openings,” said Dwayne Elmore, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension wildlife specialist.