Top 6+ invasive trees you should never plant in your yard

You may know plants such as Japanese honeysuckle and English ivy are invasive bullies that will take over your landscape in a hurry. But non-native trees also can be problematic, spreading rapidly and pushing out native species. “Invasive plants in your yard often serve as seed sources,” says David Coyle, PhD, associate professor of forest health and invasive species, and extension specialist at Clemson University. “Birds commonly eat the fruits and seeds, fly off, and poop them out, thus creating new infestations.”

That can set off a domino effect that upsets the local ecosystem: “Few native insects eat non-native plants, and we need native insects to feed our birds and other wildlife,” says Coyle. “There is a lot of peer-reviewed literature that shows areas with a high proportion of non-native plants have fewer birds.”

Invasive trees can create issues in other ways, too. “Invasive plants may alter the composition of the soil or change water chemistry in our streams, making it difficult for other plants, insects, and microbes to live there,” says Justine Kandra, horticulturist with the Kemper Center for Home Gardening at the Missouri Botanical Garden. “They can also change the natural fire cycle of native ecosystems or increase soil erosion.”

Unfortunately, you still can find many invasive trees for sale at retailers and online nurseries, so you likely won’t realize that they’re invasive when shopping. “This is a hard area to manage because there generally aren’t laws about selling non-native plants,” says Mary Carol Sheffield, extension agent for agriculture and natural resources for the University of Georgia. “You’ve got to do your research when adding plants to your landscape because it’s not always apparent what’s invasive.”

One way to learn what not to plant is to check invasive.org or to search your state for “invasive” or “noxious” plants, or contact your local university coop extension service (find yours here), which typically have lists of invasive plants, says Coyle. A few great choices for native trees that have appealing characteristics, such as pretty flowers or foliage, include:

• Redbud
• Dogwood
• Blackgum
• Native oaks
• Native magnolias

 Ahead, read on to learn about some of the most commonly available invasive trees you should never plant in your yard:

Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana)

Also known as callery pear, this was once considered the ideal landscape tree until it was discovered it can cross-pollinate with native pear species, forming thickets that crowd out native plants. Its white springtime blooms actually smell horrible, and the branching is weak, leaving the tree vulnerable to wind damage. The trees also produces large thorns that can damage tires and harm livestock, says Coyle.

Plant instead: Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) features lovely white blooms, fruits loved by birds, and excellent fall color all in a relatively small package (up to 25 feet tall and wide), says Kandra.

Chinese Tallow Tree (Triadica sebifera)

 This tree was widely planted as an ornamental for its fall color, as a nectar source for honeybees, and as a source of vegetable tallow used in cosmetics and candles. Unfortunately, the green fruiting capsules are dispersed readily by songbirds. Unlike other invasive trees which often take hold in areas of disturbed soil, this one also can invade undisturbed natural habitats such as prairies, wetlands, and forests, says Kandra.

Plant instead: Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) is a small to medium sized tree that offers white spring blooms that pollinators love, glossy summer foliage, and bright orange and red fall color. Sourwood honey also is one of the most sought-after honey varietals, praised for its color, delicate flavor, and its resistance to crystalizing, says Kandra.

Empress Tree (Paulownia tomentosa )

This tree has large leaves and fragrant, purple-pink blooms, which resemble wisteria, in spring. Its numerous winged seeds spread easily on wind and water, and it can form colonies that push out native species, says Sheffield.

Plant instead: Southern catalpa (Catalpa bigniodes) is a medium-sized tree with heart-shaped leaves and a showy, late spring to early summer display of fragrant, white blooms with purple and yellow inner markings, says Kandra.

Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)

Often sold as a fast-growing shade tree, this is one of the worst of the worst. It has aggressive roots that can damage pavement, foundations, sewage and septic lines. It is very difficult to control because, even if cut down, it continues to sprout from its roots, says Sheffield.

Plant instead: Mockernut hickory (Carya tomentosa) features large, compound leaves that turn bright yellow in the fall. Like other hickories, the nuts are edible and appealing to wildlife, says Kandra.

Mimosa Tree (Albizia julibrissin)

Also called the powderpuff or silk tree, you may feel nostalgic about this tree with its huge, pink puffy flowers because your grandmother may have had one. But it has big, messy seeds that produce innumerable viable seedlings, says Sheffield.

Plant instead: Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) is a large shrub or small tree with spreading branches and charming, round summer blooms that pollinators love, says Kandra.

Chinaberry (Melia azedarach)

This medium-sized tree has large, doubly compound leaves that turn bright yellow in the fall. Clusters of purple flowers in spring give way to fleshy, yellow berries which birds eat and disperse. It forms colonies along roadsides and forest edges, outcompeting native plants, says Kandra.

Plant instead: Soapberry (Sapindus saponaria) is in the same plant family and features similar bright yellow fall color and showy berries. Interestingly, the outer husk of the berries is rich in saponins, which when crushed and mixed with water, form soapy suds that historically were used to wash clothes and hair, says Kandra.