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Sleep King - Where the Prices Are a Sweet Dream!
There are a lot of mattress companies in South Carolina that claim to have the perfect mattress for everyone. At Sleep King, we believe that every person is different and has different needs when it comes to their mattress. That's why our mattress store in Wilmington, NC, has a wide variety of beds and brands to choose from. That way, you can find the right mattress for your body and get the very best sleep quality possible.
As a family-owned and operated mattress store with more than 40 years of experience in the sleep industry, we know a thing or two about comfortable mattresses. Wilmington residents choose Sleep King because we provide our customers with a personalized shopping experience. When you walk through our showroom doors, we want you to feel comfortable - both on our mattresses and with our store associates. At Sleep King, you won't ever have to worry about pushy salespeople and limited selection. Instead, you will discover that we encourage you to take your time as you search for your next bed. Sleep is incredibly important, and by proxy, finding the right mattress for your body type is too.
When you visit our showroom in Wilmington, know that we are a full-service store with mattress experts ready to help. From questions about mattresses and their warranties to financing and mattress delivery, there's no question we haven't heard before.
We carry some of the most popular brands in America, and unlike other mattress stores in Wilmington, offer them at the lowest prices around, guaranteed. There's a reason why we were voted your #1 mattress store in the Lowcountry - because we truly care about our customers and their quality of sleep!
Looking for discounts? Need to buy your mattress on a strict budget? We've got you covered at our new mattress clearance center in Wilmington, where we have more than 50 models on display at 50-80% off retail value. Don't forget to ask us about our flexible financing options, where no credit is needed to make a purchase. Paying cash? We'll knock 5% off your bill!
As if that weren't enough reason to visit, remember that we provide free delivery, setup, and removal of your old mattress for FREE when you make a purchase at Sleep king.
Bedroom Sets for Elizabeth Linker
Furniture for Dave Gould
Full Mattresses for Jeremy Morris
Furniture Store for James Baker
Bedroom Furniture for Mary Hurtubise
Living Room Furniture for Sherri Wise
Mattress Shop for Sherri Cogswell
MLILY for Sherri Wise
King Mattress for Valarie WILLIAMS
Mattress for ANTHONY REALE
Bedroom Sets for ashley wright
Furniture for Stephanie Morris
Full Mattresses for David Price
Furniture Store for Hayden Pepple
Bedroom Furniture for Brian Shupe
Living Room Furniture for Kenneth Dias
Mattress Shop for Keni Said
MLILY for Natalie Covert
King Mattress for tami barrans
Mattress for Greg Bernet
Bedroom Sets for Brent Nygard
Furniture for Mackenzie Hutchison
Full Mattresses for April Curenton
Furniture Store for Emily Chapman Seal
Bedroom Sets for Wanda Bradley
Some services and products are only available for local residents. Please contact SleepKing for details
Contact NowWhy Choose Our Mattress
Store in Wilmington, NC?
Our business model is simple - give customers quality beds from national brands at amazing prices, coupled with unmatched customer service. We know that your sleep is essential but also understand that normal folks aren't made of money. You need a solution that isn't going to break the bank, which is why we offer up to 75% off our products.
When we say we have a bed for every budget, we're serious.
A few of our mix and match deals include:
| Sets | Prize |
|---|---|
| Twin Mattress Sets Beginning | at $169.00 |
| Full Mattress Sets Beginning | at $199.00 |
| Queen Mattress Sets Beginning | at $229.00 |
| King Mattress Sets Beginning | at $449.00 |
Of course, a mattress would be incomplete without a headboard, footboard, and rails. For queen mattresses, those items combined are only $199. At our mattress store, we pledge to beat any competitor's price on similar product specs - guaranteed! Here are just a few of the benefits of shopping at Mattress King
- *FREE* Bed Frame for Your New Bed*
- *FREE* Same-Day Local Mattress Delivery to Your Home*
- *FREE* Set-Up & Removal of Old Mattress from Your Home*
- *FREE* Mattress Pad Included with New Mattress*
- Rest Easy with Our 60-Day Comfort Guarantee
- We Have the Best Selection of Mattresses in Wilmington with Five National Vendors
- On-Time Delivery
- Best Warranties in the Industry
- Sleep King Will Beat Anyone's Advertise Price by $50*(on purchases $299 and above)
- 0% Financing for 48 Months (APR, With Approved Credit)
- *See Store for Additional Details
Our Selection of
National Mattress
Brands
At Sleep King, we carry the largest selection of high-quality national brand mattresses in Wilmington.
Sleep King MLILY Mattresses
Often considered the best mattress brand in the world, innovation sets MLILY mattresses apart from others. Our customers love MLILY mattresses because they are expertly built through decades of research and rigorous testing. The folks at MLILY are committed to precision, meaning every detail of product detail they push is geared towards the ultimate satisfaction and comfort.
Sleep Restonic Mattresses
Restonic Mattresses: Restonic line of mattresses are multi-layered beds with cooling foam technology that adds resilience, support, and temperature control. The result is a cool, comfy sleep that leaves you refreshed and ready to attack the day.
Sleep King Comfort Sleep Mattresses
Every mattress in the Comfort Sleep lineup has a great combo of support and comfort, making for a restful night's sleep. With heavy-gauge coils and high-performance materials, these mattresses are durable and built to last. Be sure to try one of these mattresses out in our showroom - our customers love the pocketed coils and minimal motion transfer.
Sleep King Golden Mattresses
The Golden brand is lesser known than some, like Tempurpedic. Still, it is a quality product with many foam and non-foam options that we think you'll love. Choose from standard memory foam, hybrid, and innerspring options while visiting our showroom in Wilmington.
Tips on Choosing the Best Bed
There's much more to choosing a good bed than how you think it will look in your bedroom. There's plenty to think about, from innerspring options to memory foam and even hybrid mattresses. At Sleep King, our priority is our customers. We pride ourselves on excellent customer service. We want to do right by you, which why we want to be sure you find the perfect bed when you visit our mattress store in Wilmington, NC. To help you get started, here are a few tips on choosing the best bed for your sleep needs.
Visit a Showroom
This tip might seem like a no-brainer to some, but it's important that you visit a showroom so that you can lay on different beds to get a feel for what you like. At Mattress King, you will have the chance to explore different styles, designs, and shapes, and mattress materials. Finding a bed online at a price you can afford is great, but you should lie on the bed first, not just look at it on a screen.
Determine Budget
Here's a surprising fact: just because a mattress costs more money, it doesn't mean it's going to be a better bed. Sure, more expensive beds might have newer technologies and materials, but not everyone has the budget to walk into a mattress store in Wilmington and spend $3,000. Figure out what price range you're comfortable paying and look at the best options for your bottom line.
Consider Bedroom Size
Before you swing by our showroom and start trying out beds, it might be a good idea to measure the space where your new mattress will go. If your bedroom is on the small side, a king-sized bed might be too big. Similarly, a small bed in a huge room might make for strange aesthetics. Aim for a reasonable amount of room around your bed - enough where you can walk around comfortably. As mentioned above, get specific measurements of the area you plan to use. That way, you have peace of mind knowing your new mattress will fit in your bedroom.
Choose a Mattress Material
This tip often comes down to personal preference. It will take a little bit of trial and error to figure out which material works best for your back - innerspring, memory foam, or latex. While your friend's and family's opinions matter, keep in mind that their mattress choice was subjective. What works for them won't necessarily work for you.
Need a quick refresher on different mattress materials? Here's a quick overview
Innerspring
Also called coil mattresses, innerspring beds are probably the most well-known on this short list. Innerspring mattresses are often more affordable than their latex and memory foam counterparts. These beds are ideal for people who want a lot of support and a cooler night's sleep.
Latex
This material is known for its great cooling properties and overall comfort. With latex, there are no strange off-gassing odors like you sometimes get with memory foam. Latex mattresses are ideal for people who want a responsive, bouncy feel and may have problems sleeping hot.
Memory Foam
First developed by NASA in the 70s, memory foam is probably the most popular material in the modern mattress market. Memory foam conforms to every inch of your body, giving you maximum comfort and support. Memory foam is also know for its anti-motion properties. Memory foam can be a great choice if you tend to toss and turn at night and sleep with a partner who wakes up when you do. Memory foam mattresses are ideal for people who need pressure relief, good support, and refreshing comfort.
Think About Your Back
If you have a bad back, it's crucial that you find a mattress with proper support. Slat and spring beds often offer plenty of support, but latex and memory foam options have come a long way. If you want memory foam or latex but find the support to be subpar, consider an adjustable base instead of a normal platform. That way, you can always sleep in a comfortable position that benefits your back.
Your Premier Furniture Store
Wilmington, NC
You read that right! Sleep King is the first choice for quality beds in Wilmington, but we also have a huge selection of furniture for your home. If you're looking for a one-stop-shop for mattresses and furniture alike, you have come to the right place. If you're shopping for a new mattress at the best price possible, why not throw in a bedroom suite at an amazing price too?
A few common furniture items that our customers love to add
to their mattress purchase include:
Living Room Sets - from traditional-style suites with classic textures to modern sets with attractive upholstery, we will help you find the best living room set for your home.
Bedroom Suites - our bedroom suites range from contemporary to classic and come in a variety of colors and styles to compliment your new mattress purchase.
Daybeds - from English-style daybeds available in espresso and cherry colors to multi-purpose beds with pull-out trundles, our selection of daybeds is unbeatable.
Futons - if you have younger children, they will love our futons. Who are we kidding? Adults do too! Futons are incredibly useful in small spaces and convert into comfy-cozy beds perfect for kids of all ages.
Bunkbeds - bunkbeds are another great option to consider if you have kids. Whether you have a classic-style home or an apartment, we have a style that fits you.
At Sleep King, we are proud to have the lowest prices in the Lowcountry
If you like what you see but don't have time to visit our mattress store in Wilmington, don't worry. Our online store is bursting with new items and deals every day. From mattresses and bedding to furniture sets and special sale items, Mattress King has got it all. With the highest quality mattresses, the best prices in Wilmington, a giant showroom with all the options, and a full team of helpful sales associates, you won't ever need to find another mattress and furniture store again!
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Latest News in Wilmington, NC
Benson Era Begins This Weekend as PC Takes Part in Three-Game Wilmington Tourney
Presbyterian Collegehttps://gobluehose.com/news/2023/8/24/volleyball-benson-era-officially-begins-this-weekend-as-pc-takes-part-in-three-game-wilmington-tourney.aspx
WILMINGTON, N.C. – Tabbed as the fourth head coach in the school's 15-year NCAA Division I history over the offseason, first-year head coach Steve Benson will clock in his long-awaited debut for the Presbyterian College volleyball program this weekend, starting off the 2023 campaign with a three-match burst in UNC Wilmington versus three separate opponents.Taking over a roster that retur...
WILMINGTON, N.C. – Tabbed as the fourth head coach in the school's 15-year NCAA Division I history over the offseason, first-year head coach Steve Benson will clock in his long-awaited debut for the Presbyterian College volleyball program this weekend, starting off the 2023 campaign with a three-match burst in UNC Wilmington versus three separate opponents.
Taking over a roster that returns eight letter-winners from last fall and five players who saw regular time as starters during that period, Benson and co. will peel the cover off the brand-new campaign by taking on Stetson tomorrow afternoon at 3:00 p.m. from Wilmington's Hanover Hall.
Less than 24 hours later, the Blue Hose will hit the floor again bright and early for a 9:00 a.m. first serve against Fordham before closing the weekend against the hosting Seahawks at 6:00 p.m. later in the evening.
GAMEDAY INFO – FRIDAY, AUGUST 25 Presbyterian vs. Stetson – 3:00 PM (Wilmington, N.C.) LIVE STATS - StatBroadcast
GAMEDAY INFO – SATURDAY, AUGUST 26 Presbyterian vs. Fordham – 9:00 AM (Wilmington, N.C.) LIVE STATS - StatBroadcast
Presbyterian at UNC Wilmington – 6:00 PM (Wilmington, N.C.) WATCH – Flo Volleyball LIVE STATS - StatBroadcast
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT – STETSON
- PC's 17th season of D-I competition will open with the aforementioned neutral-site duel against Stetson, a Sunshine State foe who posted a 15-14 mark a year ago. Each of Stetson's first nine victories in 2022 came via sweep, drifting to a 6-10 ASUN record after starting 9-3.
- Former NAIA National Player of the Year and Stetson head coach Yang Deng (the program's director for seven seasons) took the Hatters to the conference tournament last November in Nashville, although the result in the first round tilted against them in a five-set defeat at the hands of Liberty.
- After the Blue Hose captured a 3-2 win back in 2009 – the two sides' first of three meetings overall – Stetson took the next two encounters in '15 and '21, coincidentally other neutral-site affairs such as tomorrow's in North Carolina.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT – FORDHAM
- Another adversary with a small dosage of history with the Blue Hose, Presbyterian's Saturday morning contest versus Fordham will entail the third all-time meeting between the pair. A tiebreaker will be in order after PC bested the Rams in the opening bout of the '15 season before the opposite result occurred in 2016.
- Fordham and head coach Ian Choi finished the previous campaign with a below .500 mark of 13-16, grabbing all but six of those W's in Atlantic 10 matchups. The Rams concluded the semester on a high note by downing George Mason in back-to-back home matches.
- Traveling south to Wilmington from The Bronx, Fordham put together 12.5 kills per set in 2022 which translated to a .201 attack percentage.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT – UNC WILMINGTON
- The caboose for the weekend's trio, Presbyterian will wrap up the tourney by battling the hosting party in a mix that has never happened in PC's D-I past. That first-ever encounter with UNCW will come against a squad looking to bounce back from a 6-19 record 12 months prior.
- All of the Seahawks' wins during the '22 stretch came in five-set form with the exception of their final two against Hampton (both 3-1 final decisions).
- Head coach Dottie Hampton approaches her fourth year in charge of the program, aiming to atone for a 2-9 mark when competing from their home gymnasium in the Tar Heel State.
2022 BLUE HOSE RECAP
- Benson inherits a Blue Hose core that retained a sizable chunk of last season's production, including Kasey Battle and Anna Baranski who both grabbed weekly honors from the Big South (Player of the Week for the former and Freshman of the Week twice for the latter).
- Five PC competitors logged at least 75 sets played in 2022, led by senior Hailey Grocholski's 106. Backed by a .171 hitting clip, Battle finished the campaign three kills shy of 200 as one of four roster members who will progress through their last season donning the blue and garnet, alongside Grocholski, Kinsey Bailey, and Jordan McAda.
- The Blue Hose strung together a 9-19 performance last fall, with six of those W's coming away from Clinton. Winning two of their final three meetings over UNC Asheville and Winthrop at the Templeton Center, PC comes into 2023 needing just 12 more wins to reach the century mark since joining the D-I ranks.
Port City Foodies Newsletter: New burgers and new beers in this week's food news
Allison Ballardhttps://www.starnewsonline.com/story/lifestyle/food/2023/08/24/port-city-foodies-newsletter/70667049007/
Welcome to the weekly Port City Foodies newsletter brought to you by me, StarNews reporter Allison Ballard. And, well, I can say that some weeks are yummier than others. This was one of them! I was lucky enough to try a few things coming our way -- from a perfectly cooked smash burger with lacy edges to...
Welcome to the weekly Port City Foodies newsletter brought to you by me, StarNews reporter Allison Ballard. And, well, I can say that some weeks are yummier than others. This was one of them! I was lucky enough to try a few things coming our way -- from a perfectly cooked smash burger with lacy edges to chilaquiles and pancakes topped with fruit and a delicious milk sauce. You can read more about all of it here.
Opening this week
Two businesses that have been in the works for months are officially opening Friday, Aug. 25. One is a brewery in Leland. (The third one to open since October.) And the other is a burger restaurant bringing a unique style to the Wilmington area. I got to check out both spaces and have a couple of suggestions: Look for the "Beer it Forward" board at Mannkind Brewing and go for a double or triple at Oklahoma's Original Burger.
More:A new brewery is opening in Leland. From the beer to the space, here's what to expect.
Mexican style mornings
The brunch restaurant trend is booming across the country – and in Wilmington with our local restaurants like Brunches and Eternal Sunshine. This area is also starting to see some breakfast-and-lunch spots that add in some Latin flavors to the experience.
One such spot is a popular one in Castle Hayne. The owners are working with a new partner to bring another Buen Dia to Wilmington. We have the details here.
More:With new restaurant partnership, Mexican brunch trend continues in Wilmington
Yes, chef
I also got to talk to Chef Larry Fuller recently. He’s been working in local restaurants for 30 years, from one of the original shrimp-and-grits spots to classic waterfront eateries. He’s now teamed up with Shelly McGowan of Michael’s Seafood, which is celebrating 25 years in business this year. Who wants to go with me to check out some of their new dishes and great specials, and maybe get a bowl of chowder?
Speaking of longtime locals, reporter John Staton recently worked on an article about some of the benchmarks that make for a true Wilmingtonian. Of course, there are some restaurant-related items listed. You can check it out here.
More:Chef Q&A: There is a secret to the chowder at this popular Carolina Beach restaurant
Let’s get social
Follow Port City Foodies on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/portcityfoodies and on Instagram at @port_city_foodies.
Want your friends to be in the know? Forward this newsletter to them. They can sign up here.
With an anticipated deadline looming, construction stalls on Amazon in Pender County
Chase Jordanhttps://www.starnewsonline.com/story/news/local/2023/08/24/construction-for-amazon-delivery-station-in-wilmington-nc-stalls/70560388007/
The Pender Commerce Park is bustling with employees, delivery trucks, and even construction workers making way for another business to join the park.That same construction work hasn't happened yet for Amazon.In March 2022, Amazon and business officials announced plans to build a delivery station at Pender Commerce Park, but it appears no progress has been made on the selected site. Last year, Wilmington Business Development (WBD) said a 142,000-square-foot facility was anticipated to be complete in 2023 to serve ...
The Pender Commerce Park is bustling with employees, delivery trucks, and even construction workers making way for another business to join the park.
That same construction work hasn't happened yet for Amazon.
In March 2022, Amazon and business officials announced plans to build a delivery station at Pender Commerce Park, but it appears no progress has been made on the selected site. Last year, Wilmington Business Development (WBD) said a 142,000-square-foot facility was anticipated to be complete in 2023 to serve a growing customer base in the area, while providing more than 100 full-time jobs.
According to Pender County records, the site on Acme Way next to Acme Fish remains owned by Amazon Services, LLC and was granted by Pender County. Daniel Adams, planning and community development director, confirmed construction has not started yet.
Earlier this year, Amazon and WBD provided updates about the facility along U.S. 421 amid speculation about if the Pender location would open at all. But officials assured Amazon is still coming.
A previous report from The Daytona Beach News-Journal in 2022 indicated that Amazon was pulling back plans on expanding warehouses and distribution centers. Marc Wulfraat, a global logistics consultant with MWPVL International Inc., provided a list of projects closing, canceled or delayed. For North Carolina under the canceled list, he mentioned a planned delivery station in Wilmington (Pender County is considered part of the city's metro area).
The speculation also included Seefried Industrial Properties, an Atlanta-based industrial real estate business connected to Amazon, backing out of a deal with Pender County. The Golden LEAF Foundation approved a $500,000 grant to demolish old buildings left at the old BASF/Tekada manufacturing facility, which made Vitamin C products for the dietary supplement industry. At the time, it was reported a company, known as "whale," was expecting to bring 1,000 jobs. The 150-acre area is located on Vitamin Drive.
Amazon connected business leaves Pender:After business 'Whale' backs out of Pender, leaders eye replacement to join Amazon
Previous Coverage:Is Amazon still coming to the Wilmington area amid reports of nationwide cutbacks?
Greg Rios, a spokesperson for Amazon, reported in February that the Wilmington area is still in their plans.
"While we don't have a specific launch date to share right now, once we have a better sense of timing, we'll work to hire more than 100 people at the site," Rios previously stated.
Steve Kelly, another Amazon spokesperson, recently said coming to Pender County is still in their plans. Additional information about a construction timeline was not provided by officials.
Along with providing more jobs, officials said the site will also give opportunities to delivery service partners. Through Amazon, delivery stations such as the one announced for Pender are designed to be the last part of the ordering process after packages are shipped to the facility from other centers.
Along with Amazon, other businesses either operating or soon-to-open at the park include Acme Smoked Fish, Empire Distributors, FedEx Freight, Coastal Beverage, Polyhose and RL Cold. WBD officials also confirmed that Home Depot and Lansing Building Products, a company that produces exterior building materials, are expected to move into a building developed by Ramm Captial Partners LLC.
STAY CONNECTED: Keep up with the area’s latest news by signing up for the StarNews newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram.
Reporter Chase Jordan can be reached at cjjordan@gannett.com.
You Belong Here: UNCW Welcomes the Class of 2027
uncw.eduhttps://uncw.edu/news/
More than 2,500 first-year and transfer students participated in an academic ceremonial rite of passage as UNCW officially welcomed the Class of...The Cameron School of Business at the University of North Carolina Wilmington has received a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and...Fourth-year UNCW men's basketball head coach Takayo Siddle will be among the Seahawks honored by the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce during the...UNCW's 2023-24 academic year will begin with the traditional freshmen move-in days, followed by...
More than 2,500 first-year and transfer students participated in an academic ceremonial rite of passage as UNCW officially welcomed the Class of...
The Cameron School of Business at the University of North Carolina Wilmington has received a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and...
Fourth-year UNCW men's basketball head coach Takayo Siddle will be among the Seahawks honored by the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce during the...
UNCW's 2023-24 academic year will begin with the traditional freshmen move-in days, followed by a series of signature back-to-school events...
Michaela Howells, associate professor in the Department of Anthropology, is the recipient of a 2023 Equity Award from the New Hanover County Office...
UNC Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach Brewery have partnered to license an official craft beer befitting of Seahawk Nation called "The Dub...
UNCW has been designated as an official Purple Heart Designated University, an affirmation of the university’s commitment to those who have...
Fans attending UNCW athletic contests must use a credit/debit card or mobile device to purchase concession or souvenir items during the upcoming...
The UNCW Department of Film Studies recently hosted the 2023 Society for Cognitive Studies of the Moving Image (SCSMI) Conference May...
Under Chancellor Aswani K. Volety's leadership, UNCW will launch its Strategic Plan: Soar High, Soar Far, Soar Together, a 10-year blueprint...
The UNCW Board of Trustees convened for its quarterly meetings on July 27 with two new board members and three new officers for the 2023-24...
Dr. Brian Arbogast, professor in the Department of Biology and Marine Biology, is the recipient of the American Society of Mammalogists 2023 Joseph...
UNCW Athletics has launched FLIGHT, a platform for Seahawk student-athletes to connect with fans, brands, donors and others interested in using...
The UNCW Board of Trustees will hold their regular quarterly meetings, on Thursday, July 27, in Veterans Hall and McNeill Hall.
Dr. Yolanda Pollard has been selected as the new director of UNCW's Swain Center for Executive Education and Economic Development. She began...
UNCW is among four institutions of higher education selected to join the fast-growing ranks of the Carolina Cyber Network, an organization...
The Colonial Athletic Association's Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll for the spring 2023 semester features 271 student-athletes from UNCW.
The UNCW women's swimming and diving team has been honored with the Colonial Athletic Association's Team Academic Excellence Award for...
Dr. G. Edzordzi Agbozo was named a recipient of the National Council of Teachers of English 2023 Early Career Educator of Color Award.
Sixty years later, this foreign tree continues to stink up Wilmington
Lloyd Singletonhttps://www.starnewsonline.com/story/lifestyle/home-garden/2023/08/25/bradford-pear-tree-is-harmful-to-wilmington-nc/70609300007/
Guest contributorOh, the ubiquitous Bradford Pear tree – a flashback to the 60s when it was all the rage for landscapes with its lollipop shape, fast growth rate, prolific white spring blooms and luscious red fall leaf color. Little did Ladybird Johnson know that her promotion of this invasive Asian tree species would haunt us 60 years later.This ...
Guest contributor
Oh, the ubiquitous Bradford Pear tree – a flashback to the 60s when it was all the rage for landscapes with its lollipop shape, fast growth rate, prolific white spring blooms and luscious red fall leaf color. Little did Ladybird Johnson know that her promotion of this invasive Asian tree species would haunt us 60 years later.
This Callery pear variety doesn’t feel quite like other invasive species (i.e., the viney kudzu). But this tree doesn’t belong in the Eastern United States, is cause for concern and prescribed for removal. The tree produces lots of human-inedible fruits. Cross pollinated with other Callery pear varieties, the fruits, thought to be sterile, are easily spread by birds into natural areas crowding out preferred native plant and tree species. The tree is also short-lived and becomes more and more fragile as it ages. A storm can split the tree and send it toppling. And the blooms smell really bad.
In 2018, The Washington Post’s Adrian Higgins wrote that “The U.S. Agriculture Department scientists who gave us the Bradford pear thought they were improving our world. Instead, they left an environmental time bomb that has now exploded.” Seeds from the preferred street tree of America’s postwar suburban expansion germinate to be the mass-produced supervillain with huge thorns taking over natural forests. These trees are damaging to our natural ecosystems and need to be removed and replaced.
Therefore, the Bradford Pear Bounty NC is a partnership between N.C. Wildlife Federation, N.C. State Extension, N.C. Urban Forest Council and N.C. Forest Service to help control the spread of invasive Bradford pears by removing them from communities and replacing them with native alternatives. Locally, the Alliance for Cape Fear Trees is also involved.
Details for the local Wilmington program are found here: Register for Wilmington Bradford Pear Bounty.
More:Invasive insect causing havoc to tree species considered overplanted in Wilmington
North Carolina residents can remove an invasive Bradford pear tree from their property and exchange it for a free native tree at Bradford Pear Bounty NC events this year in Wilmington on Nov. 4. Tree removal is the homeowner’s responsibility, and several local tree care companies offer Bradford pear tree removal discounts for program participants. Photo documentation is required to qualify for the free replacement tree.
Tree species selection will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Replacement native trees are subject to availability and may include boxelder (Acer negundo), red maple (Acer rubrum), silver maple (Acer saccharinum), serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.), pawpaw (Asimina triloba), flowering dogwood (Benthamidia Florida), river birch (Betula nigra), Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis), American beech (Fagus grandifolia), tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), swamp blackgum (Nyssa biflora), sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) or swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor).
Lloyd Singleton is the County Extension Director for New Hanover County Cooperative Extension and Arboretum, located at 6206 Oleander Drive, Wilmington. He can be reached at lsingleton@nhcgov.com or 910-798-7660. The Arboretum grounds are free and open daily from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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