These recommendations are primarily for homeowners and communities that would like to start working in their neighborhood greenspace. There are herbicide-free ways to control each species, but we’ve also included an herbicide option for some species for people who are comfortable using them. When choosing these methods, care was taken to keep the soil from being disturbed, herbicides from being used too much, and damage to other species, whether they are plants or animals, as low as possible. Manual removal is possible for all of them if you have the time. However, if the infestation is very bad or these tips aren’t working, you should think about getting professional help.
For certain woody invasive plants that have shallow roots, uprooting is an easy method of control. Some woody invasive trees and shrubs have deeper tap roots that make hand pulling difficult. If the trunk has a diameter of less than 1” hand pulling could be a viable option.
If the diameter is between 1-3”, try using an uprooter (a. k. a. , “Pullerbear”). These tools will save your back and are fun to use. They are also a great choice for people who don’t want to use herbicides.
With their delicate foliage and fluffy pink blooms, mimosa trees (Albizia julibrissin) make eye-catching additions to landscapes. However, their messiness, invasiveness and short lifespan soon have many gardeners looking for ways to get rid of mimosa trees.
Removing a mimosa entirely takes persistence due to their ability to re-sprout vigorously. But with consistent monitoring and some basic tools you can successfully eradicate mimosa trees from your yard.
Why Remove Mimosa Trees?
While beautiful, mimosa trees have significant drawbacks that lead many homeowners to remove them
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Messiness – Mimosa trees drop leaves, pods, flowers and twigs, making a mess in the landscape.
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Invasive – They spread aggressively by seed and can take over areas quickly.
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Short-lived – Their fast growth leads to weak wood and short lifespans of just 10-15 years.
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Disease-prone – Many pests and diseases plague mimosa trees.
When to Remove Mimosa Trees
Any time of year is suitable for removing mimosas. However cutting them down in early spring or late fall avoids the main growing season and reduces sap flow from cuts.
Removing an Established Mimosa Tree
Follow these steps to fully remove a mature mimosa tree:
1. Cut the Trunk
Use a chainsaw or handsaw to cut the trunk as close to the ground as possible. The lower the cut, the fewer resprouts you’ll get.
2. Apply Herbicide (Optional)
Brush herbicide like triclopyr or glyphosate onto the fresh-cut stump within 5 minutes to prevent regrowth.
3. Monitor and Remove Regrowth
New shoots will emerge quickly from the stump and roots. Cut back all new growth as it appears until the roots exhaust their resources and stop sprouting. This can take 1-3 years.
4. Dig Out Stump
Once resprouting ends, dig out the remaining stump and major roots. This removes the plant entirely. Backfill the hole with fresh soil.
Removing a Small Mimosa Sapling
For young saplings under 3 inches thick, simple hand removal may work:
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Grasp the trunk near the base and rock back and forth to loosen the roots.
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Pull the sapling straight up and shake off excess soil from the roots.
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Monitor for resprouts just as with cut stumps and continue removing them until the mimosa stops regrowing.
How to Prevent Mimosa Regrowth
To prevent relentless resprouting, use these tips while removing mimosas:
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Cut the stump as low as possible, ideally ground level.
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After cutting, immediately swab full strength herbicide onto the stump. Glyphosate or triclopyr work well.
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Cover stumps with a plastic bag secured with rocks to block light and prevent sprouting.
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Grind down stumps to remove all living plant tissues.
What to Replace Mimosa Trees With
Once gone, replace mimosas with better-behaved alternatives such as:
- Crape myrtle
- Redbud
- Serviceberry
- Fringe tree
- Smoketree
Choose non-invasive trees suited for your growing zone and landscape conditions.
By understanding their growth habits, arming yourself with the right tools and diligently monitoring for resprouts, you can successfully remove pesky mimosa trees from your yard for good.
Eastside Azalea Collection
Despite the native azalea holding the title of Georgia’s State Wildflower, it is underused in the landscape. There are now over 300 native azaleas on display at the Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum, making it the largest public collection of these plants in the Atlanta area. The collection has more than 25 species, cultivars, and varieties. It also has all 13 azaleas that are native to the state of Georgia. This collection is mostly made up of named cultivars, which are varieties that have been chosen for their color, size, bloom time, and other factors. ) within two series called the Georgia Moon Series and the Sunrise to Sunset Series. In the Georgia Moon Series, fragrant white-blooming Georgia native species will be shown. In the Sunrise to Sunset Series, warm orange, red, and soft yellow Georgia native species will be shown blooming from March to July.
A unique feature in horticulture, the Stumpery Garden is open to the public for learning and exploring and shows how trees can be used in a beautiful way. Stumpery gardens use dead, downed, or storm-damaged trees as an asset to the garden. These trees provide important habitat for beetles, frogs, birds, and small mammals like chipmunks. Whole logs are turned over to show the root structure, and walls and arches are made from logs, branches, and pieces of bark. The goal is for plants like mosses, ferns, lichens, soft grasses, and trailing plants to grow on and around them.
Take a virtual tour of the Stumpery Garden here.
How to Kill Mimosa Trees
FAQ
Are mimosa trees hard to kill?
Will vinegar kill a mimosa tree?
Are mimosa trees deep rooted?
What is the best herbicide for mimosas?
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Herbicide: Fluroxypyr (Group I)
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Active ingredient
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200g/L fluroxypyr
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Rates of dilution for spot spraying
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0.15L/100L water
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Amount of product/10L water
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50mL for common sensitive (M. pudica) 30mL for M. pigra
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Rate of product/ha
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1.3–1.5L
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How do you get rid of a mimosa tree?
The best way to get rid of a mimosa tree is to cut it down at ground level. Mimosas are able to re-sprout after being cut back so keep an eye out for new growth. To control resprouting, you’ll either have to cut off new growth or use a herbicide on the stump. Seedlings can be pulled by hand, but make sure you get all the roots.
How do you cut a mimosa tree?
To dig up a mimosa tree, you will need a shovel and a pickaxe. Dig around the tree, making sure to cut through the roots. Once you have dug up the tree, you can remove it from the ground. To cut down a mimosa tree, you will need a chainsaw or a handsaw. Cut the tree down as close to the ground as possible.
Can a mimosa tree be pruned?
If you have a mimosa tree that is too large to prune, you will need to remove it. You can remove a mimosa tree by digging it up or by cutting it down. To dig up a mimosa tree, you will need a shovel and a pickaxe. Dig around the tree, making sure to cut through the roots. Once you have dug up the tree, you can remove it from the ground.
What happens if a mimosa tree is cut down?
Falling branches: When a mimosa tree is cut down, it is important to be aware of the risk of falling branches. These branches can be heavy and can cause serious injury if they fall on someone. Chemical exposure: If you use herbicides to remove a mimosa tree, you need to be aware of the risks of chemical exposure.
What are the benefits of removing a mimosa tree?
A: There are a number of benefits to removing a mimosa tree. These include: Reduced property damage: Mimosa trees can be very destructive, especially if they are not properly maintained. Their roots can cause damage to sidewalks, driveways, and foundations. Their branches can also break off and damage property during storms.
What are the disadvantages of Mimosa Wilt?
Another drawback is mimosa wilt—a disease that is becoming a problem across the county and is responsible for killing many roadside trees. Infected trees will start out with paling, drooping leaves on a single branch. As the disease progresses, leaves will turn yellow and fall off the tree.