A tree is a helpful addition to any property, but not all trees are good. Some tree species can wreak havoc on an ecosystem and devastatingly affect plant and animal life.
These literal bad seeds of nature are often pretty yet dangerous as they spread fast. It does not take long to dominate an area while killing the native species. Therefore, these trees have earned the title of invasive tree species.
The good news is that most invasive tree species are confined to specific locations and are easily removed. Read on to find out how to deal with invasive tree species and learn about some invasive tree species that our tree service contractors in Saint Augustine can remove.
Common Invasive Tree Species
Princess Tree or Royal Paulownia
The Royal Paulownia tree is originally from China but found its way into the US in the 1840s as a landscape and ornamental tree. The Royal Paulownia is a heavy tree with clumsy branches, and its trunk can be up to two feet in diameter. It stands tall at 50 feet.
The Royal Paulownia can be found in the eastern US, in around 25 states, and it flourishes in natural areas like forests and stream banks. The tree competes with rare plant species in places like scoured riparian zones and cliffs.
Robinia or Black Locust
Robinia is a North American native tree with a reputable nitrogen-fixing ability. The tree is a source of nectar for bees and provides humans with wood. These benefits have led to its transportation to different parts of the US and even beyond it in places like Europe.
The challenge with the Robinia is that, once it is planted, it spreads faster in areas where their shade covers sun-loving plants, leading to their death.
Silk Tree or Mimosa
The Mimosa is a deciduous tree that is flat-topped and thornless. It can reach a height of 50 feet. The Mimosa was introduced to the US in 1745. This tree species was brought from Asia and Africa for ornamental purposes. Somehow, the Mimosa escaped into the waste areas and fields to launch a biological invasion of sorts on riparian areas, especially downstream.
The challenge with the Mimosa is that it is difficult to remove due to its long-lived seeds.
Other invasive tree species include:
- White Poplar
- Chinaberry Tree
- Tallow Tree
- Tree of Heaven
How to Deal with Invasive Tree Species
The most effective way to fight an invasive tree species is to stop their invasion in the first place. You could do this by:
- Not moving native tree species from their original area
- Participating in nature conservation efforts dealing with the removal of invasive plant species at your local park
- Verifying that the trees you’re purchasing are non-invasive
Professional Tree Removal Services in Florida
The only other way more effective when dealing with unwanted trees is removing all non-native species from your garden and replacing them with native ones.
Contact Affordable Tree and Landscape at (904) 687-9856 if you require help getting rid of invasive tree species on your premises. However, if you are willing to remove the invasive species yourself, obtain a tree removal permit in Florida.
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