Invasive species can take over a property incredibly quickly. One day, your landscape looks healthy, lush, and appealing, and a short time later, you find yourself staring at an overgrown tangle of buckthorn, autumn olive, and Japanese knotweed. This is certainly a big problem, and — as most Michigan homeowners and property managers have already learned — you’ll usually need professional assistance to regain control of your land and eliminate these invasive plants.
Fortunately, it’s easy to get the help you need: Simply contact the Lou’s Cutting Edge Tree Service team. Our professionals will quickly eliminate these problematic plants and restore your property to pristine condition.
A shocking variety of invasive plant species have been documented in the Great Lakes State, including grasses, shrubs, vines, and even trees. And unfortunately, scientists and conservationists remain on high alert for others, which are likely to show up within our borders any day.
But the following are some of the most commonly encountered invasives that have already become well-established in our area:
If you notice any of these plants growing on your property, contact the professionals at Lou’s Cutting Edge Tree Service immediately to schedule your free consultation and estimate.
There are a number of different ways to deal with invasive species, and different approaches are better suited for different situations. We’ll always devise a plan of attack based on the species present, the extent of the problem, and the characteristics of your property. However, some of the most common methods we employ are discussed below.
For smaller infestations or sensitive areas where chemical treatments aren't permissible or appropriate, our team can use manual removal techniques. This typically involves cutting invasive plants at the base, extracting the root system by hand (or with the help of mechanical equipment), and disposing of the plant material off-site.
An effective method for controlling invasive woody species (shrubs, vines, and trees), cut stump treatment involves cutting down the plant and immediately applying an EPA-approved herbicide directly to the stump. This prevents regrowth by killing the root system, offering a targeted approach that minimizes impact on surrounding vegetation.
This method is ideal for relatively small invasive trees and shrubs. A low-concentration herbicide mixture is applied directly to the lower bark of the plant, where it is absorbed and translocated to the roots. Basal bark treatment can be performed year-round and doesn't require cutting the plant first, making it efficient for large-scale infestations.
For dense stands of invasive shrubs or vines, foliar spraying allows our crews to treat large areas efficiently. An herbicide is applied directly to the leaves, which allows it to be absorbed and move through the plant, ultimately killing the root system. We take care to use targeted application techniques and appropriate weather conditions to minimize drift.
There are a number of ways invasive species removal can provide benefits to residential homeowners, commercial property managers, and municipal parks. A few of the most noteworthy reasons to consider invasive species removal include:
Start enjoying the benefits of invasive species removal by contacting our team now. We’ll be happy to send an invasive species expert to your property to perform an assessment and provide you with a free, no-obligation estimate.
While every invasive species removal project is unique and requires a custom approach, we use the following framework as a starting point.
You contact the Lou’s Cutting Edge Tree Service team and tell us a little about your invasive species problem.
We’ll visit your property, identify the species present, devise a plan, and provide you with a free estimate.
With your approval of the plan, we’ll schedule a convenient date and time for the work to begin.
Our crew will show up and get to work, while treating your property with the care it deserves.
Once the work is finished, we’ll review the results and answer any questions you may have.
We’ll then provide recommendations for keeping your property free of invasive species in the future.
Invasive species removal may seem simple at the outset, but it is actually a complex endeavor. Pick the right invasive species removal team, and you’re likely to be pleased with the results and enjoy a healthier property for years to come. But if you select the wrong company, you may be faced with poor service and inadequate results.
We’re proud to offer the finest invasive species removal services in the entire State of Michigan, and we hope that the following helps give you the confidence to choose Lou’s Cutting Edge Tree Service for all of your invasive species removal needs.
No matter the size or scope of your project, we treat every job with the respect it deserves and deliver a high level of care, communication, and professionalism from start to finish.
From clear, itemized estimates to realistic timelines, we communicate openly and honestly so you always know exactly what to expect.
It’s important that you trust your invasive species removal partner, so we always follow through on our promises and stand behind our work.
We prioritize long-term relationships and doing what’s right for our clients over pushing unnecessary services or short-term gains.
Every project is completed with attention to detail, including thorough cleanup and care to ensure your property looks better than when we arrived.
We use responsible practices and thoughtful methods to manage invasive species while protecting native ecosystems and long-term landscape health.
We’re proud to offer invasive species removal services in the following locations:
Don’t see your city or town listed? Contact us to inquire about service in your area!
If you’re ready to say goodbye to the invasive species taking over your property, contact the professionals at Lou’s Cutting Edge Tree Service. We’ve been serving homeowners, property managers, and municipalities across Mid-Michigan since 2013, while leaving nothing but happy customers in our wake. But you don’t have to take our word for it — just check out our ratings and reviews on Google, Facebook, Trustindex, and HomeAdvisor, as well as our A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Contact us now to get the invasive species removal services you need!
Still have questions about invasive species removal in Michigan? We’ve answered some of the most common questions we hear from our customers below.
Invasive species removal is the process of identifying, controlling, and eliminating non-native plants that spread aggressively and disrupt local ecosystems. The methods used vary based on the species being removed and the manner in which the land is used, among other factors.
It’s difficult to identify the most important or prevalent invasive species in Michigan, but common buckthorn is a reasonable answer. It spreads rapidly, forms dense thickets, disrupts ecosystems, and is hard to kill.
Japanese knotweed is likely the hardest plant to get rid of in Michigan, though garlic mustard and common buckthorn are also strong contenders for this title.
The 10% rule is an ecological principle that states that approximately 10% of introduced species will become established in a new land, and 10% of those (1% of the total) will become invasive.
Different chemical and mechanical treatments can kill invasive species, as well as some predators and environmental factors. The only way to know the best treatment for a given property is by consulting with an invasive species removal specialist.
People remove invasive species for a variety of reasons, including a desire to protect the broader ecosystem, support native plant and animal populations, and eliminate some of the problems invasive species cause.
Many invasive species are “weedy” species, which reproduce quickly and thrive in habitats native species can’t. Additionally, most invasive species populations can grow unchecked, as they lack the natural parasites, predators, and pathogens that affect natives.