Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin), also referred to as silk tree or shiny acacia, produces glowing pink tufts of sweet-smelling ornamental blooms on a tree between 20 and 40 feet in height with delicate fern-like leaves. This native Asian species was once widely planted as an ornamental, particularly in the southeastern United States. Its capacity to resprout when damaged, produce large quantities of seeds and thrive in many different land types makes it exceptionally invasive in warm climates as far west as California. Mimosa’s invasive potential and susceptibility to infection mean you might want to eliminate a mature mimosa tree or eliminate undesirable seedlings.
Seedlings
Young mimosas are a lot easier to kill than a mature tree. Eliminate unwanted seedlings spread by animals or wind by pulling the entire plant as soon as it is big enough to grasp. Do not enable the seedling to get large enough to flower, as this raises the danger the plant will spread even further. Ideally, pull young mimosas immediately after rain, when the ground is loose and soft. Allowing any of this origin to remain in the soil increases the danger the mimosa will soften.
Mechanical Removal
Because you can not pull a mature tree, you’ll want to decrease the entire tree despite the ground working with a handsaw or chainsaw. If possible, cut the mimosa down when it’s only begun to flower. This lessens the threat of reseeding. Large mimosas might want to be girdled by building a groove in the bark 6 inches above the floor and all of the way around the tree. This kills the cover of the tree and makes it easier to cut down after. Both kinds of mechanical removal are temporary since mimosas often resprout from the roots. Cut all resprouts away as soon as you see them to finally kill the tree.
Chemical Treatments
Chemical treatment with herbicides may be used to eliminate big mimosa trees or together with mechanical practices to decrease the danger of resprouts. Glyphosate and triclopyr are the most effective alternatives, but they must be mixed using a non-ionic surfactant to efficiently penetrate the leaves. Apply herbicides carefully, as they’ll kill other plants in the immediate location. Herbicides may also be painted onto cut stumps immediately after felling a mimosa or injected to the trunks of big specimens.
Factors
Mimosa trees prefer disturbed ground, particularly along the edges of fields and forests. You can reduce the danger of mimosa trees spreading to your landscape by planting vigorous native alternatives, such as serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) or redbud (Cercis spp.) , and departing the place largely undisturbed. If you do need to include or eliminate a plant, soften the dirt only before the mimosa produces seeds. This will produce a less favorable surroundings and make it tough for the mimosa to become recognized.