New Jersey has enacted the Invasive Species Management Act, which restricts the sale and planting of more than two dozen invasive plants and trees, including the Bradford pear, to protect local ecosystems. The law targets future sales, so residents are not required to remove existing trees.
Key Aspects of NJ Tree Restrictions:
- Banned Species: Over 30 species are included, such as the Bradford (or Callery) pear, Japanese barberry, and running bamboo.
- Target: The law impacts plant sales and nurseries, not trees already planted in residential landscapes.
- Purpose: The legislation aims to protect native plant species and improve local biodiversity.
- Alternative Landscaping: Residents are encouraged to use native plants for landscaping, often listed in guides like Jersey-Friendly Yards.
- Municipal Ordinances: Most NJ municipalities require permits for removing trees with a trunk diameter of at least 6 inches.
Key Banned/Invasive Trees and Shrubs in New Jersey
- Callery/Bradford Pear
- Japanese Barberry
- Winged Burning Bush
- Norway Maple
- Tree of Heaven
- Mimosa Tree
- Japanese Angelica Tree
- Autumn Olive
- Amur Honeysuckle
- Common Buckthorn
- Multiflora Rose
- Japanese Wisteria
- Chinese Wisteria
- English Ivy
- Running Bamboo
Commonly Recognized Invasive Plants to Avoid
- Butterfly Bush
- Japanese Clematis
- Oriental Photinia
- Jetbead
- European Privet
- Porcelain Berry
What to Plant Instead
The Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) suggests replacing invasive species with native alternatives, such as:
- Instead of Burning Bush: Blackhaw viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium).
- Instead of Barberry/Privet: Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum).
- Native Alternatives: Consider planting Serviceberry, Flowering Dogwood, or Redbud instead of Bradford Pear.
Note: The official list of prohibited species will be maintained by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and may be updated annually.
