This Invasive Tree Can Take Over Your Yard in Just Months, Experts Warn

Key Points

Removing the tree of heaven is crucial because it spreads aggressively, kills other plants, and is hard to control.

Cutting this tree without treating it first can cause its roots to produce hundreds of new shoots.

The best removal method combines herbicide treatment and physical removal, followed by regular monitoring for new growth.

If you’ve considered planting a tree of heaven in your outdoor space, it’s best to think again. This invasive deciduous tree originated in China and can grow up to 80 feet tall—but that’s not the main concern. Our experts detail how this tree can easily overtake and kill other plants and trees in your yard and how difficult it is to remove once it’s established.

Meet Our Expert

Matt Tutt, head gardener and food grower at Aguacateros

Related: How to Grow a Mulberry Tree for a Neverending Supply of Delicious Fruit

Why the Tree of Heaven Is Detrimental

The tree of heaven is considered one of the most invasive tree species in North America and will spread aggressively in your yard. “Its root system is different from other trees in that it spreads through underground root suckers,” explains Lisa Tadewaldt, a certified arborist. “A single tree can quickly turn into hundreds or thousands of trees that will take over your yard in a matter of months.”

These trees also release chemicals into the soil, which can suppress the growth of nearby plants. “So not only do they grow extremely fast, they keep other plants and trees from growing,” Tadewaldt warns.

Best Removal Methods

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is cutting down a tree of heaven without treating it first. “Simply cutting down the tree will trigger the root system underneath to kick into overdrive, which often causes the tree to produce dozens—or even hundreds—of new shoots from its root system,” Tadewaldt cautions. “It’s a lot easier and less expensive to deal with one or a few trees rather than try to deal with a mature infestation.”

The most effective way to remove a tree of heaven from your yard involves a combination of physical removal and herbicide treatment.

Matt Tutt, head gardener and food grower at Aguacateros, doesn’t like to use herbicides and will avoid their use where possible. “But to remove this tree, you will need to apply herbicides to the roots of the tree several times before pulling out any remaining roots,” Tutt says.

Tadewaldt recommends the following steps to remove the tree of heaven from your yard:

Apply a targeted herbicide using a hack-and-squirt or basal bark treatment during the growing season (which is typically from mid-summer to early fall).

Allow the herbicide time to get into the root system, which can take several weeks.

Once the tree has died, remove it by cutting it as low to the ground as possible.

Monitor the area for new sprouts and treat them promptly with more herbicide.

How to Prevent It from Coming Back

Persistence is key, as the tree of heaven can continue producing small shoots and trees long after the main stem is removed. Inspect the area regularly for new shoots and remove or treat them as soon as they appear.

“You’ll want to avoid cutting suckers down without doing the herbicide treatment at the same time or you’ll stimulate more growth,” Tadewaldt says. “Maintaining a healthy landscape with desirable trees, shrubs, and groundcovers can also help reduce opportunities for seedlings to establish.”

What to Grow Instead

If you’re looking for beautiful blooms like the tree of heaven offers, Tutt recommends the Muskogee crepe myrtle. “This has beautiful blooms but in a light purple shade,” he explains. “It flowers for around 100 days before turning some amazing orange and red shades come autumn. It is good for USDA zones 7 through 9.”

Another blossoming recommendation is the Kanzan cherry. “It comes with a very attractive double-flowering blossom,” Tutt says. “While it does produce edible cherries, they are quite bitter and are best left for the birds.”

However, the best replacement depends on where you live, your yard’s specific growing conditions, and how you want your landscape to look. “Choosing species that are native to your area is almost always the best choice,” Tadewaldt says. “In the Pacific Northwest where we are located, options such as vine maple, Pacific dogwood, Oregon white oak, and serviceberry are good choices and provide ecological benefits without the invasive tendencies of tree of heaven.”

Read the original article on Martha Stewart