Invasive tree species have severe and far-reaching adverse effects. While most people view them as a mere annoyance, they can also negatively affect biodiversity, water quality, tree cover, local wildlife, natural habitats, and more. Contact SoutheastTree for professional help in dealing with invasive trees.

As an experienced Sandy Springs tree service company, we can quickly identify non-native species, noxious weeds, or aggressive non-native species and devise strategies to remove them from your property. Let’s go over the negative impact of invasive tree species in Georgia.

Water Quality

Some invasive trees have very little root structure to bind the soils. When such trees dominate the groundcover, they will likely erode during flood events. Erosion releases sediment into rivers and streams, potentially compromising the water quality. Conversely, native tree roots extend wide and deep into the soil. That binds the soil and reduces soil erosion.

Biodiversity Loss

Invasive tree species often grow aggressively. They can overwhelm and out-compete the local native trees, upsetting the natural balance and resulting in the loss of the native species. By displacing native trees and plants, invasive species can create what’s referred to as a “monoculture,” an ecosystem dominated by a single species.

Harm to Wildlife

When an ecosystem has a variety of plant food and cover, it allows more animal populations to thrive. Changes in an environment’s plant diversity can reduce the quality and quantity of wildlife habitats and native fish. For example, invasive monocultures can drive away native animal populations.

In addition, invasive trees and plants may provide unwanted habitats for invasive animal species, further complicating the problem. Not to mention, several studies suggest plausible links between biodiversity loss and human health.

Diminished Tree Cover

Invasive plant and tree species can completely take over an environment, which may negatively impact tree growth. Invasive trees make it very difficult for native trees to grow and thrive. As a result, native tree species fall too prematurely, drastically reducing their growth rate or preventing them from growing.

For example, some invasive tree species can dramatically reduce the growth rate of native trees by blocking sunlight and preventing it from reaching the leaves of the natural tree.

Increased Fire Risk

Monocultures have a terrible reputation for fueling wildfires. A dense environment of invasive plants and trees can even increase the frequency of wildfires. While invasive species may grow fast and thrive, they might dry up, becoming added fuel for wildfires when the native landscape is most vulnerable.

Non-Invasive Tree Management

Sometimes, even non-invasive plant species need management. Some trees may succumb to disease, become overpopulated, or prevent other species from thriving. We use many of the same solutions for invasive species for non-invasive tree management.

Treatment and Management

Treatment of invasive tree species takes many forms to account for the varying traits and lifecycles of different trees. Our team has the skills and experience to design and execute multiple types of invasive species treatment and management strategies. So whatever kind of invasive trees you have, we have the skills to remove them efficiently and effectively.

Managing invasive trees by controlling their populations or removing them entirely plays a critical role in restoring balance to any habitat. Removing invasive tree species can ensure native trees get valuable light and sufficient nutrient resources. Overall, it can improve ecosystem function and restore healthy levels of biodiversity.

Contact SoutheastTree today at (770) 977-8733 to learn more about our arborist consulting service. We have the experience and equipment necessary to remove invasive trees from your property effectively.

Our trained arborists will assess your property and make necessary recommendations for tree removal.