What is the biggest mistake people make removing invasive trees?

Cutting a resprouting species and leaving the site unmanaged. Many invasives respond by producing dense sprouts and new seedlings; successful control requires follow-up and replanting.

What should I plant instead of invasive ornamentals like Callery pear?

Choose Kentucky-appropriate native alternatives (e.g., serviceberry, redbud, native oaks, and other natives recommended by Kentucky resources). Planting natives helps reduce reinvasion and supports wildlife.

Kentucky Invasive Trees: Do’s & Don’ts, Identify, Report, Remove & Replant

Kentucky Quick Links (Lists + Reporting + Control)

Use these Kentucky-focused sources to confirm invasives, map distribution, and report sightings.

Kentucky reporting (KY Invasive Plant Council)

Report invasives — Kentucky guidance points to EDDMapS for reporting and mapping.

EDDMapS Kentucky lists & contacts

Kentucky: Invasive Species Lists and Contacts — browse state lists and contacts.

UK Forestry invasive plants hub

Invasive Plants (UK Forestry) — Kentucky-focused species pages and resources.

Kentucky Forest Health: invasive plant threats

Invasive Plant Threats — KY forestry context and major threats.

KY field guide (UK publication)

Field Guide to Kentucky’s Invasive Plants (PDF) — quick ID + control notes.

Native alternatives (KY-EPPC)

Kentucky native alternatives (PDF) — easy swaps for common invasive ornamentals.

Kentucky Do’s & Don’ts (Print-this Checklist)

These points are written for real-world property work in Kentucky—old fields, roadsides, yards, and forest edges. Following them helps you avoid the most common “accidental reinvasion” mistakes.

DO

Do these first

Do confirm the ID using Kentucky resources before you cut anything.
Do take photos + pin the location so you can report and revisit.
Do start with seed sources (trees flowering/fruiting)—that’s the “seed rain.”
Do work patch edges and shrink infestations in layers to avoid spreading.
Do plan follow-ups (sprouts + seedlings) until the patch stops responding.
Do replant with native competition matched to light and moisture.

DON’T

Don’t do these

Don’t cut and walk away on resprouting invasives—this often makes a thicket.
Don’t move fruit/seed debris off-site unless it’s bagged and contained.
Don’t chip seed-bearing material and spread it as mulch around the property.
Don’t disturb soil widely (grading, heavy tilling) without a replant plan—disturbance invites reinvasion.
Don’t replace an invasive ornamental with another “almost the same” invasive (use the KY alternatives list).
Don’t skip safety near roads, powerlines, or steep slopes—hire pros when needed.

One-line Kentucky rule: If it resprouts, you must return. If you don’t replant, it will reinvade.

3 High-Impact Invasive Trees to Watch in Kentucky

These species are widespread across Kentucky forests, stream corridors, and neighborhoods and are commonly flagged by state and university invasive-plant programs.

Amur honeysuckle

Fast ID clues: leafs out very early and holds leaves late; hollow stems; dense shade-forming thickets.

Do: remove before fruiting and monitor for resprouts. Don’t: leave roots untreated.

Replace with: spicebush, serviceberry, native viburnums.

Norway maple

Fast ID clues: milky sap from broken leaf stems; dense shade; shallow roots.

Do: remove seedlings aggressively. Don’t: replant as a shade tree.

Replace with: sugar maple, red maple, or Kentucky-native oaks.

Mimosa or silk tree (Albizia julibrissin) flowers

Mimosa (silk tree)

Fast ID clues: fern-like leaves; pink powder-puff flowers; seed pods persist.

Do: remove before pods mature. Don’t: compost seed material.

Replace with: eastern redbud, native flowering dogwood.

Verify & Report in Kentucky

Reporting helps Kentucky partners map spread and prioritize action. Include photos and a precise pin.

Report via KY Invasive Plant Council

Report invasives — uses EDDMapS for mapping and reporting.

Kentucky EDDMapS lists

Kentucky lists & contacts — confirm status and view lists.

UK Forestry species pages

Invasive plants hub — Kentucky-focused pages for ID and control context.

Photo checklist: leaf + twig + bark + fruit/seed + whole tree + “what it’s growing next to” (road edge, creek, field).

Removal Playbook (Kentucky)

The most reliable long-term control is a combination of: stop seed → stop sprouts → replant.

Seed control

Prioritize flowering/fruiting trees and remove seedlings around them.

Sprout control

Resprouting species require repeat visits—schedule them.

Site occupation

Plant natives to shade and compete so invasives don’t reclaim the area.

For broad background, see: Invasive Tree Species (Weed Trees).

Native Replacements (Kentucky)

Use Kentucky-native or Kentucky-adapted natives that match your site (moist bottomland vs upland yard edge). For fast “swap” ideas, see the Kentucky-native alternatives PDF.

Yard ornamentals (swap list)

Serviceberry, redbud, dogwood, native maples—choose based on your soil and sun.

Old field edges

Native oaks/hickories plus shrubs to create layered competition.

Creek & moist sites

Choose moisture-tolerant natives and establish a shrub strip first to stabilize.

Don’t “leave it bare”: disturbed soil + full sun is an invitation for invasive seedlings.

Frequently Asked Questions (Kentucky)

Where do I report invasive trees in Kentucky?

Kentucky reporting commonly uses EDDMapS. Start with the Kentucky reporting page and the EDDMapS Kentucky lists & contacts.

What’s the biggest do/don’t for removal?

Do plan follow-ups. Don’t cut a resprouting invasive and walk away.

What do I plant instead of Callery pear?

Use Kentucky-native alternatives such as serviceberry, redbud, dogwood, and other natives listed by Kentucky resources.

Invasive Kentucky Trees

Softwoods

Hardwoods

Calculators

Resources

Programs