Why Invasive Plants Are a Bigger Problem Than They Look
Invasive plant species in Missouri do not just look messy—they actively out-compete native trees, shrubs, and groundcover for light, water, and space. Vines wrap around trunks and limbs and cut trees off from sunlight. Shrubs form dense thickets that nothing else can grow through. Left alone, invasive plants Missouri homeowners ignore in year one are significantly harder and more expensive to remove by year three. The species below are the ones Meyer Tree Service’s arborists encounter most often on St. Louis residential properties.
Common Missouri Invasive Plants in St. Louis Yards
Callery Pear (Bradford Pear)
Most St. Louis homeowners know the Callery pear by its white spring blooms, but the ornamental tree planted in millions of yards has become one of the most problematic invasive plant species in Missouri. Once it escapes the yard, usually carried by birds, it spreads rapidly into open fields and woodland edges, forming thorny thickets that crowd out native trees and plants. The Missouri Department of Conservation identifies it as one of the state’s most aggressive invasive species.
The good news: Missouri has an active Callery pear buyback program run jointly by the Missouri Invasive Plant Council and the Missouri Department of Conservation. Homeowners can exchange Callery pear cuttings for free native tree replacements. If you have a Bradford pear on your property, this is worth looking into. If you take advantage of the exchange, Meyer Tree Service can help you plant your new native tree correctly for long-term success.
Tree of Heaven
Tree of Heaven turns up in the most unlikely places like cracked pavement, vacant lots, disturbed soil along fence lines, and field edges throughout the St. Louis area. It grows fast and tall, quickly overtopping slower-growing native trees and shading them out. The leaves have a distinctive unpleasant odor when crushed, which is often the first tip-off for homeowners who are not sure what they are looking at. Washington University in St. Louis documents it as one of Missouri’s most persistent urban invasives, and once it establishes, it is difficult to eliminate without professional treatment.
Bush Honeysuckle
If you have it, you know it. Bush honeysuckle is one of the most aggressively spreading invasive plants in Missouri, and it is the species Meyer arborists are called about more than almost any other. It leafs out earlier in spring than native shrubs, which gives it a head start on every plant around it, and it forms thick, dense stands that smother the woodland understory beneath.
The Missouri Department of Conservation lists it among the state’s most damaging invasives, and horticulture specialists across Missouri report fielding calls about it weekly from homeowners who have been watching it creep across their property for years and finally want it gone. Herbicide treatment and manual removal are the only effective methods once it spreads, and the longer you wait, the bigger the job.
Oriental Bittersweet
Oriental bittersweet is a vine, and it uses that to its advantage. It wraps itself tightly around tree trunks and large limbs, girdling them and gradually cutting off the flow of water and nutrients. Trees that look healthy in spring can show serious decline by fall once bittersweet has worked its way through the canopy. Birds eat the bright orange-and-red berries and spread the seeds widely, which is why it turns up in yards far from where it was originally planted. Washington University in St. Louis identifies it as a serious threat to Missouri’s native tree canopy.
Wintercreeper
Wintercreeper is one of the more deceptive Missouri invasive plants because it looks tidy with low, spreading ground cover with persistent green or reddish leaves visible even in winter. In residential landscaping, it was used for decades as an ornamental. The problem is that it does not stay put. It spreads steadily into natural areas, climbs into tree root zones, and suppresses native groundcover. MoInvasives documents its expanding spread across Missouri, and it shows up regularly in St. Louis yards that border natural areas or wooded sections of the property.
Why Summer Is the Right Time to Act
Summer gives you the clearest view of how far an infestation has actually spread. Invasive plants are in full leaf, actively growing, and visible in a way they are not once fall sets in and foliage drops. Vines climbing into the canopy are easy to trace. Thickets that were invisible in early spring are now obvious. Starting a removal plan now, before these species set more seeds and spread further, directly limits how much work the job requires next season. Waiting until fall or winter does not make the problem easier; it just gives invasive plants another growing season to work with.
What Professional Brush Removal Looks Like
Removal methods vary by species. Woody shrubs like honeysuckle typically require cut-and-treat herbicide application, vines need to be traced back to the root system, and invasive trees like Callery pear or Tree of Heaven often need stump treatment after removal to prevent resprouting.
A professional crew identifies what to remove and what to protect, removes material safely, and consults on preventing regrowth. For a full overview of what Meyer Tree Service’s brush removal in St. Louis includes, including invasive species-specific removal methods and free estimate options, visit the service page. If invasive tree removal leaves stumps behind, stump grinding eliminates the root system and prevents resprouting.
Frequently Asked Questions About Invasive Plants in Missouri
What are the most common invasive plants in Missouri?
The most common invasive plants Missouri homeowners deal with include Bush Honeysuckle, Callery Pear (Bradford Pear), Tree of Heaven, Oriental Bittersweet, and Wintercreeper. All five are well-established in the St. Louis area and spread aggressively without intervention.
When is the best time to remove invasive plants in St. Louis?
Summer and the active growing season are the best times to identify and plan removal, since invasive species are fully visible and actively spreading. Some species, like Bush Honeysuckle, are also most effectively treated during the growing season when cut-and-treat herbicide methods are most effective.
Can invasive plants come back after removal?
Yes, many can. Species like Bush Honeysuckle and Tree of Heaven resprout aggressively from root systems if stumps or roots are left untreated. Professional removal includes treatment of root systems and follow-up monitoring to catch regrowth before it reestablishes.
Is there really a program to replace Callery pear trees for free in Missouri?
There is. The Missouri Invasive Plant Council and the Missouri Department of Conservation run an active exchange program where homeowners can trade in Callery pear cuttings for free native tree replacements.
Find Out What’s Growing in Your Yard
Identifying and removing Missouri invasive plant species is not always a straightforward DIY project, especially once an infestation has established across a large area. Meyer Tree Service’s certified arborists serve homeowners across St. Louis and can assess your property, identify what you are dealing with, and recommend the right removal approach for your situation. Request a brush removal estimate to get started.
