Is Bradford pear illegal in Alabama?

Not currently illegal in Alabama, but several states have banned it. Alabama Invasive Plant Council lists it as a Category 1 invasive. We recommend proactive removal.

Will herbicide treatment kill my other plants?

Cut-stump herbicide application is highly targeted — applied directly to the cut surface, it does not move through the soil to affect nearby plants when applied correctly.

Can I compost invasive tree wood?

Wood chips from invasive trees are generally fine to compost — it's the seeds that spread invasives, not the wood. Don't compost seed pods or berries.

Invasive Trees in North Alabama — What to Remove From Your Property

Why Invasive Trees Matter in Madison County

North Alabama sits at a biogeographic crossroads — the Cumberland Plateau, the Tennessee Valley, and the upper Gulf Coastal Plain ecosystems all converge in Madison County. That biodiversity makes it particularly vulnerable to invasive species. Trees that spread aggressively crowd out native oaks, hickories, serviceberries, and pawpaws that wildlife depend on. An invasive tree on your property isn't just an aesthetic problem — it produces seeds that spread into parks, creek buffers, and undeveloped land. Alabama Forestry Commission has identified a dozen invasive tree species as priority threats in our region.

Invasive Trees to Remove From Your Huntsville Property

Bradford/Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana): Spreads via bird-dispersed seeds, thorny understory colonies form within 10 years of planted specimens. Structurally weak — splits at unions in ice storms. Remove it. Mimosa / Silk Tree (Albizia julibrissin): Common along Huntsville roadsides, produces thousands of seeds annually, invades disturbed land aggressively. Roots re-sprout after cutting — require stump treatment. Chinese Tallow (Triadica sebifera): Moving up from coastal Alabama, increasingly seen in Madison County creek corridors. Highly aggressive. Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima): Common in urban vacant lots in Huntsville — roots damage foundations, produces allelopathic chemicals that kill nearby plants. Princess Tree (Paulownia tomentosa): Escaping cultivation in north Alabama, spreads on disturbed roadsides and clear-cuts.

How to Remove Invasive Trees Effectively

Simple cutting isn't enough for most invasives — many resprout from roots. Effective removal: (1) cut in late summer to reduce stored root energy, (2) immediately treat cut stumps with herbicide (triclopyr or imazapyr) within 60 seconds of cutting — this is the 'cut-stump method' used by Alabama Forestry Commission; (3) monitor for resprouting over 2 growing seasons and treat sprouts as they emerge. For large invasives or dense thickets, we can handle mechanical removal and coordinate with a licensed applicator for stump treatment.

Replacement Planting After Invasive Removal

Bare soil after invasive removal is vulnerable to re-invasion. Immediate replacement planting with native species outcompetes future invasive establishment. Native alternatives for common invasives: replace Bradford pear with serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) or ornamental plum; replace mimosa with native redbud (Cercis canadensis); replace tree of heaven with chittamwood (Bumelia lanuginosa) or black cherry. Alabama Cooperative Extension has a native plant database specific to each Alabama county.

Schedule Invasive Removal in Madison County

We identify, remove, and stump-grind invasive trees throughout Huntsville, Madison, Hampton Cove, and Harvest. If you're not sure whether a tree on your property is invasive, our arborist can assess during a property walkthrough. Call (256) 203-1967 for a free estimate.

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Serving Huntsville and all of Madison County. Same-day available for emergencies.

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Invasive Trees in North Alabama