Beautiful, Fragrant Tree Found in KY & IN Is Actually an Invasive Nuisance

For more than just a few folks, labeling "mimosa" a nuisance might raise some eyebrows. I have plenty of friends who LOVE mimosas. Personally, I'm not starting my day with champagne and orange juice under any circumstances. Hating champagne will do that to you.

No, I'm not labeling a popular breakfast cocktail a nuisance. In fact, I'm not 100% sure WHY those drinks are called mimosas. It's not like they resemble their floral namesakes in any way. And now that I've bridged that gap between the beverage and the tree, let's get started.

Invasive Mimosa -- The Tree, Not the Cocktail

That's right, friends, the mimosa TREE is an invasive nuisance throughout the southeast. But they are also available for viewing in Kentucky and Indiana. Some would bristle at the idea that this beautiful flora is a problem at all. My friend Jeff in Cleveland doesn't consider them a nuisance.

He ordered one for this backyard which, by the way, looks like something out of Better Homes & Gardens.

Why the Mimosa Tree Is a Problem

And while he can't be alone in his love of this particular tree, it DOES present its fair share of problems. Those seeds go everywhere when they fly off those fronds, which resemble lush ferns. That's why they're popping up along roadsides and by streams. Plus, its root system can also be a major pain in the butt. As attractive as they are, I bet you won't find many experts on the issue clamoring to plant them in THEIR yards.

Additionally, they don't have very long lives. These natives of Asia are tropical trees, so, yes, most of the 50 states can't provide what they need for a long life. And their pods make for a very unattractive tree by the time fall rolls around. Mimosas can also suffer from some called "slime flux." Sounds fun, doesn't it?

Mimosa Trees Do Have Their Advocates, However

Mimosas begin to flower in mid-June, so they should become far more noticeable now. And, you know, despite the number of experts who have legitimate concerns about their presence, mimosa trees are not without their advocates.

So if you begin noticing those trademark pink and white blooms accompanied by fern-like leaves, you're noticing a mimosa tree. And I guess its desirability will continue to be subjective.

There are plenty of arguments AGAINST having them around, and there are clearly arguments on the other end.

It's all up to you.