The 9 Most Invasive Woody Plants in the U.S., and How to Remove Them for Good
Woody invasives are trees and shrubs growing outside their native range. Left alone, they shade out native plants, change the soil, and come back thicker every time you cut them. The one approach that stops regrowth is pulling the whole root, and it works best when you catch them young, with stems under 2 inches.
The 9 to watch for
| Plant | Where it's a problem | How to spot it | When and how to pull it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buckthorn | Midwest, Northeast, Pacific Northwest | Dense thickets, glossy leaves, dark berries; stays green after native trees drop their leaves | Fall or early spring, when it's the only green in the woods |
| Callery (Bradford) pear | East and Midwest | White spring blossoms, thorny shoots | Before it flowers and sets fruit |
| Chinese privet | Southeast, spreading west | Semi-evergreen shrub with small oval leaves | While stems are under 2" |
| Mimosa | Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, Northeast | Feathery, fern-like leaves; pink puffball flowers | Before flowering; check fence lines and roadsides |
| Tamarisk (saltcedar) | California and the Southwest | Scale-like leaves, often near water | After rain when soil is damp; grip low on the stem |
| Scotch broom | California and Pacific Northwest | Bright yellow pea-like flowers, green stems | Spring or fall, ideally in the morning when soil is softer |
| Autumn olive | Midwest, Northeast, Great Lakes | Leaves with silvery undersides, speckled red berries | Before berries ripen; get the entire root |
| Norway maple | Northeast and Midwest | Maple leaves with milky sap in the leaf stem | Saplings under 2" in diameter |
| Siberian elm | Central U.S., West, Northeast | Small toothed leaves, brittle branches, very fast growth | After rain; pull with steady leverage |
Removal tips that work for all of them
- Pull after a soaking rain. Damp soil lets go of roots far more easily.
- Spring and fall beat summer. Softer ground, cooler work, and many invasives are easier to spot.
- Get them before they flower or seed, or you'll be pulling their offspring next year.
- Don't leave pulled plants on the ground. Bag them, burn them where it's allowed, or pile them somewhere they can dry out completely.
Why pull instead of cut or spray?
Cutting a woody invasive usually triggers resprouting from the root. Herbicide works, but it isn't an option near water, gardens or organic ground. Pulling the root out ends the problem.
The tool for the job
Tree Popper pulls woody stems from ¼" to 2" with an 11:1 leverage ratio. No chemicals, no gas, no moving parts.
Buy Large on Amazon (stems ¼" to 2") Buy Small on Amazon (stems ¼" to ¾")