Not every tree that looks good in a yard belongs there. Some species spread aggressively, crowd out native trees, and throw off the balance of the ecosystems around them, and Indiana has a growing list of trees it takes seriously enough to regulate.
Here’s what’s officially banned, what’s not (yet), and what to do if you’ve got one of these on your property.
Officially Banned in Indiana
Since 2019, Indiana’s Terrestrial Plant Rule has prohibited the sale, distribution, and transport of 44 invasive plant species statewide. Three trees made that list:
- Amur cork tree. Introduced from China and Japan as an ornamental, it grows up to 45 feet and pushes out hardwood trees in suburban and urban settings.
- Black alder. Larger than its native Midwest relatives, it forms single-species colonies that crowd out everything else and alter the surrounding soil.
- Tree of heaven. This one fights dirty. It releases chemicals that suppress nearby plant growth, and cutting it down often triggers an aggressive resprout from the roots.
The One That Isn’t Banned Yet, But Might Be
Callery pear, better known by names like Bradford pear, is still legal to buy and plant in Indiana today. That’s likely to change. State officials and conservation groups have spent the past few years pushing to add it to the banned list, and this year the effort has picked up momentum.
The problem is how the tree spreads. Callery pear leafs out earlier and holds its leaves later than most native trees, shading out everything underneath it. Different varieties cross-pollinate and produce viable seed that birds carry into forests and fields, where the tree has almost no natural competition. In parts of southern Indiana, it’s already taken over the forest floor of entire wooded areas.
A Local Concern In Monroe County
This isn’t just a statewide issue. Callery pear, tree of heaven, and white mulberry are all common around Bloomington and Monroe County, and MC-IRIS has offered reimbursement to local landowners for removing them.
What to Do If You Have One
If you’ve got a tree of heaven, black alder, or Amur cork tree on your property, removal is worth prioritizing. They’re not going to get less established over time. For Callery pear, there’s no legal requirement yet, but taking it out proactively saves you the trouble later and gives a native tree a chance to grow in its place instead.
If you spot any of these, or suspect you might have one, you can also report it to the state at 1-866-NO-EXOTIC (1-866-663-9684).
We Can Help You Sort It Out
Identifying an invasive tree isn’t always straightforward, especially when it’s been growing alongside natives for years. If you’re unsure what’s on your property, contact us, and we’ll take a look, figure out what you’ve got, and talk through what makes sense to remove.
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