What is an invasive tree species in Texas?

An invasive tree species is a non-native tree that spreads aggressively and outcompetes native trees for water, nutrients, and space, often disrupting the local ecosystem.

Do invasive trees always need to be removed?

No. Some invasive trees still provide value to homeowners or landscapes. A Certified Arborist can help determine whether removal, pruning, or management is the best option.

How can a Certified Arborist help manage invasive trees?

A Certified Arborist evaluates tree health, ecological impact, and risk factors to create a science-based plan that balances tree preservation, safety, and long-term land health.

Invasive Tree Species in Texas | Arborist Guide

Invasive tree species are trees that are not native to the area they’re growing in and often outcompete native trees for resources. When this happens, it can create ecological imbalances where the environment no longer functions the way it should.

That said, invasive trees don’t always need to be removed.

Some non-native trees provide value to a landscape or to the property owner, and not all non-native species cause the same level of ecological damage. We all want more trees, not fewer, for a healthy environment and a healthy checkbook.

This is where working with a Certified Arborist becomes important. The goal isn’t blanket removal, it’s making informed, science-based decisions for your specific property.

🌿 Common Invasive Tree Species in Texas

Some of the most common invasive tree species found in Texas include:

Chinaberry (picture below)
Japanese Ligustrum
Chinese Tallow
Catalpa
Mimosa
Salt Cedar
Paper Mulberry
Tree of Heaven

invasive chinaberry tree in austin texas

These species tend to outcompete native trees and can cause significant ecological problems over time.

Ecological impacts may include:

Displacement of native plants
Loss of usable wildlife habitat
Disruption of the food web
Increased soil erosion
Soil table disruption
Higher wildfire risk
Reduced water quality and availability

Non-Native, But Less Problematic

Some trees, such as Crape Myrtles, Magnolias, and Bradford Pears are technically non-native but generally don’t spread aggressively. In residential settings, they tend to stay where they were planted and don’t cause the same level of ecological disruption.

🌳 Taking the Right Action

To put things in perspective, even some of the most invasive trees can still provide value to a landscape.

For example, Chinese Tallow trees can be visually appealing and grow to be structurally impressive. Just because a tree is classified as invasive does not automatically mean it must be removed.

However, in many cases, removing or managing invasive species does make sense, especially when they threaten native trees, structures, or long-term land health.

A Certified Arborist can help you evaluate: