INVEST
PLANT
SOFTWOODS
HARDWOODS
CALCULATORS
RESOURCES
PROGRAMS
Softwoods
Learn More
Identify • Report • Control • Restore
This page is a Georgia companion to our national guide: Invasive Tree Species (Weed Trees). Use it to confirm what’s considered invasive in Georgia, verify identification, and find the most useful reporting and management resources used across the Southeast.
Fast path: photos → confirm ID → check Georgia / Southeast lists → report → choose a control method that stops resprouting → follow-up. The goal is to prevent spread (seeds and root sprouts) and avoid “cut-and-sprout” failures.
Jump to: quick links • Southeast hub • common invasive trees • regions & timing • verify & report • control playbook • native replacements • FAQs
These are the fastest paths to “Is this invasive here?” and “Who should I tell?” in Georgia — plus the Southeast tools that scale across state lines.
Invasive Tree Species (Weed Trees) — definitions, red flags, and prevention.
GAInvasives.org — Georgia-focused guidance, outreach, and links to reporting.
Report + map observations across the Southeast (photos + exact location).
Georgia reality: many “problem trees” spread from landscaping and disturbed edges into forests. If you’re unsure, confirm ID before cutting — several invasives resprout aggressively and some natives look similar.
Invasive trees don’t stop at state lines. Georgia’s major corridors (I‑75, I‑85, I‑20, and coastal routes), plus river systems, create natural “spread highways” across the Southeast. Use this hub to navigate state pages and keep your internal linking cluster tight and intentional.
Invasive Trees That Grow in Georgia (this page)
Invasive Tree Species in Texas (South overlap + Gulf spread)
| State page (internal) | Why it matters for the cluster | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Forest edge invasions + riparian spread across Mobile / Tennessee River corridors. | State Wide |
| South Carolina | Coastal Plain and Piedmont invasions; strong ornamental escape pathways. | State Wide |
| North Carolina | Blue Ridge / Piedmont gradients; strong corridor + watershed connectivity. | State Wide |
| Tennessee | Ridge & Valley spread; highway corridors; Appalachian foothills. | State Wide |
| Mississippi | Bottomland hardwoods and river systems; Gulf coastal spread. | State Wide |
| Louisiana | River corridors, floodplains, and bottomland forest habitats statewide. | State Wide |
| Kentucky | Riverine floodplains and bottomland hardwood forests across the state. | State Wide |
Hub rule: each new Southeast state page should link back to Georgia as the anchor and cross-link to at least two neighbors (e.g., AL ↔ GA ↔ SC) to strengthen topical authority and user navigation.
Georgia’s invasive tree pressures vary by region (Coastal Plain, Piedmont, Ridge & Valley, and the Blue Ridge foothills). The examples below are widely encountered in the state and across the broader Southeast.
| Example | Where it shows up | Why it’s a problem | Best next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) | Floodplains, creek lines, forest understories | Forms dense thickets that block native regeneration and change understory structure. | Prioritize stream corridors; plan for follow-up sprouts and seedlings. |
| Callery pear (Bradford pear) (Pyrus calleryana) | Road edges, old fields, forest margins | Escapes landscaping; spreads quickly and crowds out early-successional natives. | Remove seed sources near edges; replace with native flowering trees. |
| Tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) | Transportation corridors, disturbed lots | Rapid spread + aggressive resprouting; often turns into a multi-stem thicket after cutting. | Use a method that stops resprouting; schedule follow-up checks. |
| Mimosa / silk tree (Albizia julibrissin) | Streambanks, sunny edges, disturbed soil | Fast seeding and shade; often invades riparian edges and open woods. | Remove before seed set when possible; prevent spread downstream. |
| Chinaberry (Melia azedarach) | Urban edges → woodlands, fence lines | Bird-dispersed fruits allow rapid jump dispersal into natural areas. | Prioritize fruiting trees first; monitor for seedlings. |
| Princess tree (Paulownia tomentosa) | Slopes, cut banks, roadsides | Wind-dispersed seed; establishes on disturbed soils and rock faces. | Control on disturbed slopes early; avoid soil disturbance that re-opens sites. |
This Georgia page is designed to function as a Southeast hub — you’ll see many of the same “repeat offenders” across AL, SC, NC, TN, MS, and FL. If you want the national definitions and prevention playbook, return to: Invasive Tree Species (Weed Trees).
Georgia spans multiple ecoregions, and “best timing” depends on the species and the site. Use these regional cues to decide where to scout first and when to prioritize follow-up.
Warm, long growing season. Watch edges, ditches, and riparian corridors for rapid expansion.
Ornamental escapes are common. Prioritize forest margins and utility corridors after disturbance.
Disturbed slopes and road cuts can seed new infestations. Watch for princess tree and tree‑of‑heaven.
Operational tip: if you remove a fruiting invasive (pear, chinaberry, privet), plan a second visit. Seedlings often flush after canopy disturbance and rainfall.
The best reports include clear photos and a precise location. The best control plans include follow-up.
Leaves, bark, flowers/fruit, full canopy. Note habitat and whether seedlings are present.
Use trusted profiles: Cal-IPC plant profiles.
See if it’s established in your area using CalWeedMapper.
Submit sighting info through local programs or map/reporting tools (include photos + location).
Match treatment to the species and site. Avoid spreading seeds or fragments during removal.
Re-check for resprouts and seedlings. Most invasive trees require multiple visits.
High-risk sites: riparian areas, disturbed lots, road edges, and post-fire landscapes. If the tree is near water or within sensitive habitat, coordinate before you act.
Most invasive tree control fails for one reason: the tree comes back. Plan control around preventing resprouting and new seedlings.
Many invasives resprout aggressively when cut. A one-time cut can create a thicket.
Seeds and fragments spread. Bag seed heads, avoid hauling loose material, and follow local rules.
Some treatments work best when the plant is moving resources to roots. Follow species guidance.
Want the national overview of invasive “weed trees” and prevention strategy? Go back to: Invasive Tree Species.
Replacing invasives is how you prevent reinvasion. Use natives that match your site: dry upland, mesic woods, wetlands, or stream edges. Below are common “swap” ideas used across Georgia.
| If you’re removing… | Consider planting… | Best sites |
|---|---|---|
| Callery / Bradford pear | Serviceberry, native crabapple, flowering dogwood (site-appropriate) | Edges, yards, open woodland margins |
| Chinese privet along streams | American beautyberry, buttonbush, native viburnums | Riparian corridors, wet edges |
| Tree-of-heaven / princess tree on disturbed slopes | Red maple, blackgum, tulip poplar (where native), oaks (long-term) | Disturbed uplands, stabilized slopes |
| Mimosa / chinaberry | Eastern redbud, native plums, hawthorns | Sunny edges, old fields, transition zones |
Planting note: choose locally available native stock when possible, and match moisture/light conditions. The best replacement is one that thrives without creating new management problems.
Start with photos and a trusted profile. In Georgia, start with GA invasive resources and regional mapping tools like EDDMapS, then confirm with extension guidance.
No. Many non-natives are not invasive. “Invasive” means it spreads and causes harm (or is likely to) in natural areas.
Not always, but many invasive trees resprout after cutting. The safest, most effective approach depends on the species and site. Follow label directions and local guidance.
Copyright © All rights reserved Tree Plantation
