Charlie Paparella Admires Blooming Pear Trees

SALISBURY, Md. – In this week’s edition of Back on the Road with Charlie Paparella, brought to you by Furniture & More Gone Coastal, Charlie surveys the blooming pear trees, and reflects on their deeper meaning.

In Salisbury, multiple pear trees adorn the Wicomico County Courthouse grounds, as well as the space in front of the Government Office Building next door.

“Since these offices administer and adjudicate the law, there’s an irony in these particular trees guarding a courthouse,” Charlie says. “That’s because the plant’s origin story best illustrates the funniest law of all: the Law of Unintended Consequences.” 

Charlie says that during the 1950s and 1960s, scientists from the United States Department of Agriculture searched the world for plants that might be useful back at home. One of their finds was the Callery pear, also known as the Bradford pear, which was widely accepted at home for its size and early spring flowers. Millions were sold across the country, and even more were distributed by birds. 

“But the reality of these trees spreading through farmland across the nation is no joke,” Charlie added. “It’s a good thing we have the Consequences Law. It reminds us that we’re not in charge, we’re just here for each other.”

If you have a story idea that you’d like to see Charlie tackle, email them to papa@wmdt.com.