Invasive Species Removal in Lansing, Michigan

Efficient, Affordable, & Eco-Friendly Invasive Species Removal

Reclaim & Restore Your Property

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.

Common Invasive Species in Michigan: The Plants Causing Problems

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:

  • Common reed (Phragmites australis)
  • Butterbur (Petasites hybridus)
  • Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata)
  • Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
  • Spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe)
  • Wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa)
  • Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)
  • Common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)
  • Giant knotweed (Reynoutria sachalinensis)
  • Glossy buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula)
  • Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii)
  • Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica)
  • Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora)
  • Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)
  • Callery (Bradford) pear (Pyrus calleryana)
  • Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
  • Black swallow-wort (Cynanchum louiseae)
  • Cinnamon vine (Dioscorea polystachya)
  • Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata)
  • Mile-a-minute weed (Persicaria perfoliata)
  • Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus)
  • Pale swallow-wort (Cynanchum rossicum)
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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.

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Invasive Species Removal Methods

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.

Manual Removal

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.

Cut Stump Treatment

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.

Basal Bark Treatment

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.

Foliar Spray Treatment

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.

The Benefits of Invasive Species Removal

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:

  • It restores the landscape and supports its health. Invasive plants like buckthorn, Japanese knotweed, and garlic mustard can quickly dominate natural areas, crowding out native species and reducing overall biodiversity. Removing them allows native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers to recover.
  • It helps to support the health and longevity of your native, high-value species. Many invasive species produce aggressive root systems, climb and weigh down shrubs, or shade young trees. Removing them helps reduce stress on your desirable plants, improve their vigor, and promote good structure.
  • It encourages natural regeneration. Invasive groundcovers and understory plants often prevent native seedlings from becoming established. But once the invasives are removed, native plants and trees can begin to naturally regenerate without the need for replanting.
  • It improves the habitat value for local wildlife. While native plants support local insects, birds, and mammals, invasive species rarely do. By removing invasives, you help restore food sources, nesting areas, and overall habitat quality for Michigan wildlife.
  • It improves your property’s aesthetics and usability. Overgrown invasive plants can make a property feel messy, unmanaged, and difficult to use effectively. By removing invasives, you can open up usable space and create a cleaner, more “intentional-looking” landscape.
  • It reduces your long-term maintenance costs. Invasive species spread quickly and become more expensive to manage over time. Early removal helps to prevent large-scale infestations, ultimately allowing you to save time and money on future control efforts.
  • It prevents the species from spreading farther into the surrounding area. Many invasive plants reproduce rapidly and spread to neighboring properties and natural areas. Removing them in a timely fashion helps contain the problem and protect nearby landscapes.
  • It helps ensure your compliance with local guidelines. Some Michigan municipalities, HOAs, and conservation programs encourage (or even require) property owners to manage invasive species. Proactive removal can help property owners stay aligned with these guidelines and goals.

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.

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Invasive Species Removal: Our Process

While every invasive species removal project is unique and requires a custom approach, we use the following framework as a starting point.

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Step 1

You contact the Lou’s Cutting Edge Tree Service team and tell us a little about your invasive species problem.

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Step 2

We’ll visit your property, identify the species present, devise a plan, and provide you with a free estimate.

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Step 3

With your approval of the plan, we’ll schedule a convenient date and time for the work to begin.

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Step 4

Our crew will show up and get to work, while treating your property with the care it deserves.

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Step 5

Once the work is finished, we’ll review the results and answer any questions you may have.

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Step 6

We’ll then provide recommendations for keeping your property free of invasive species in the future.

Why Choose Lou’s Cutting Edge Tree Service for Invasive Species Removal

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.

We Focus on Service

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.

We’re Always Honest & Transparent

From clear, itemized estimates to realistic timelines, we communicate openly and honestly so you always know exactly what to expect.

We Make Good on Our Promises

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 Value People Over Profits

We prioritize long-term relationships and doing what’s right for our clients over pushing unnecessary services or short-term gains.

We Leave Your Property Beautiful

Every project is completed with attention to detail, including thorough cleanup and care to ensure your property looks better than when we arrived.

We Embrace Sustainability

We use responsible practices and thoughtful methods to manage invasive species while protecting native ecosystems and long-term landscape health.

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Our Service Area

We’re proud to offer invasive species removal services in the following locations:

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Lou’s Cutting Edge Tree Service: Your Source for Invasive Species Removal

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!

Invasive Species Removal: FAQ

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.