Types of Trees

Invasives

An invasive tree or planting is one that:

a.Originates from outside of our local area
b.Has the potential, once planted, to spread on its own
c.Out-competes our native species in the wild
d.Results in harm to the ecosystem (e.g. diminished native wildlife), human health (e.g. increased allergies) and/or economic activities (e.g. farming or fishing).

Invasive and potentially invasive trees in our area, according to the Connecticut Invasive Plants Council, include:

In addition, there are several invasive vines that either smother or crowd out trees, potentially weakening or killing them. If you find invasive vines on your tree, cut or pull out the vine at the base, including any nearby early growth. Once cut at the base, vines on the tree will subsequently die and fall. If removal of the roots is not complete, new growth will reappear which you should periodically remove. Vines needn’t be pulled from a tree; some vines are so strong you could actually damage a tree by pulling the vine.

Common Name

Amur Maple

Autumn Olive

Black Locust

Rhamnus Cathartica

Rhamnus Frangula

Norway Maple

Princess tree/
Empress Tree

Sycamore Maple

Tree of Heaven

White Poplar

Winged Euonymus

Botanical Name

Acer ginnala

Elaeagnus umbellata Thunberg

Robinia pseudo-acacia

Common/Glossy Buckthorn

European Buckthorn

Acer platanoides

Paulownia tomentosa

Acer pseudoplatanus

Ailanthus altissima

Populus alba

Euonymus alatus

Further details

Common Name

Japanese Honeysuckle

Kudzu, Pueraria Lobata

Mile a Minute

Oriental Bittersweet, Asiatic Bittersweet

Porcelainberry

Botanical Name

Lonicera japonica

Pueraria montana

Polygonum perfoliatum

Celastrus orbiculatus

Ampelopsis brevipedunculata

Further details

Link to fact sheet

Link to further info

Link to further info
If found, report vines on the UCONN Mile a Minute website

Link to fact sheet

The Tree Conservancy of Darien urges residents to avoid invasives in their plantings. For more information refer to the Connecticut Invasive Plants Counsel website. For alternatives to invasives, please view UCONNs Alternatives to Invasives; additionally read ‘Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants’, a ‘Brooklyn Botanic Garden Guide for a Greener Planet’, written by C. Colston Burrell.