How to Identify and Remove Invasive Plants Before They Harm Your Trees

Imagine an unwanted houseguest who overstays their welcome by raiding your fridge, covering you with negative attention, and leaving you with a parting gift in the form of an unshakable illness.

In a way, that’s what harmful, invasive plants can do to trees. They often compete for the tree’s resources, such as water and nutrients, sunlight, and space for growth. Their vines sometimes wrap around trees, causing strangulation. The weight of vines can weaken branches, making a tree more vulnerable to disease and damage. And certain invasive plants release chemicals in the soil, which block tree growth.

To properly protect your trees from these more-than-pesky plants, it all begins with invasive plant identification and awareness. The following are three of the most common ones that threaten trees in the Southeast. Additionally, we share tips on how to remove invasive plants.

English Ivy

This trailing and climbing evergreen vine has glossy, darkish green leaves. English ivy remains notorious for wrapping around and smothering trees, blocking sunlight from its leaves, adding compromising weight, and bringing moisture that welcomes rot and pests.

Removal tip: The University of Maryland Extension suggests creating an ivy-free band that spans about 3 to 4 feet above the ground. Start by first removing the leaves and smaller vines in order to expose the larger vines attached to the tree’s trunk. Then gently pry the vines away from the entire circumference of the trunk and cut off the vines. Once you’ve created the cleanest band possible, it will cause any vines above it to eventually die and fall off of the tree.

Chinese Privet

Although it’s an ornamental shrub with tiny, glossy oval leaves, arching branches, and white flowers with bluish-black berries, the Chinese privet has a reputation for causing trouble. It can choke out and displace native trees, and shake up ecosystems with its dense thickets. The Georgia Forestry Commission listed the non-native privet, which includes the Chinese privet, at the top of its 2023 non-native, invasive plants list.

Removal tip: If the shrub is small or young, pull it out by the roots. A recent rainfall can make the task easier. It helps to grab the plant’s stem and pull the whole root system from the ground. Removing larger shrubs calls for a leverage-based tool sometimes called a privet puller or uprooter. If you have to resort to cutting down the privet, finish the job by immediately brushing the cut stump with triclopyr, an organic herbicide.

Kudzu

It creeps, it crawls, it’s kudzu. Experts say the invasive perennial vine that’s known for covering Georgia landscapes and just about anything in its path can grow as much as 1 foot per day. Kudzu creates a lush, leafy blanket of green that has the potential to smother other vegetation. It blocks sunlight, which can result in damage and death to trees. In fact, the weight of a mass of kudzu can be heavy enough to pull down younger trees.

Removal tip: According to the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, kudzu roots can grow as deep as 9 feet. It’s difficult to eradicate kudzu and often takes multiple seasons, which span from May to late fall. As new growth appears, cut back the vines to the ground. Once vines are cut and removed, cover the area with heavy plastic. A poison ivy herbicide can be used for smaller infestations. After cutting large vines at the ground, you can brush the remaining base of the vines with a triclopyr-based herbicide.

Let Premier Tree Solutions Remove Invasive Plants

Trying to protect trees from invasive plants can be challenging, especially once they are wrapping around and smothering your trees. Premier Tree Solutions professionals can identify the culprit, and are equipped and ready to solve your specific problem. Call 404-252-6448 or schedule a complimentary assessment online.