The mimosa tree is a small, fast-growing ornamental with fern-like leaves and fluffy pink summer flowers. It is also short-lived, messy and invasive across much of the southern United States. This guide covers how to identify it, why extension services advise against planting it, how to remove it so it doesn’t come back, what removal costs and what to plant instead.
What Is a Mimosa Tree?
The mimosa tree (Albizia julibrissin) is also called silk tree or silky acacia. It is a legume, in the pea family. The >USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information System (FEIS) says it is native to Asia, from Iran to Japan, and was brought to North America as an ornamental in the 18th century. >University of Tennessee Extension and >Invasive.org’s Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas give an introduction date of 1745. FEIS notes that one historian places its arrival closer to 1785.
Today it grows wild from California across the southern U.S. to New York, according to Invasive.org.
How to Identify a Mimosa Tree
A mimosa is easy to spot in summer:
- Leaves: Bipinnate (twice-compound) and fern-like. >NC State Extension says the leaflets close when touched, at night and during rain.
- Flowers: Pink, fragrant “powder puffs” made of silky threads. NC State Extension lists bloom time as May to July.
- Seed pods: Flat, brown, bean-like pods 4 to 8 inches long, holding about 5 to 10 seeds (NC State Extension). They often hang on through winter.
- Shape: Often multi-trunked, with a broad, spreading crown. >UF/IFAS Extension notes fall color is not showy.
Mimosa Tree Size and Lifespan
Mimosa is a small-to-medium tree:
| Source | Height | Spread |
|---|---|---|
| UF/IFAS Extension | 15 – 25 ft | 25 – 35 ft |
| NC State Extension | 20 – 40 ft | 20 – 50 ft |
| USDA Forest Service (FEIS) | 10 – 50 ft (typical) | Not listed |
Measure yours from the ground with the tree height calculator.
Mimosa grows fast and dies young. UF/IFAS Extension calls it “rather short-lived (10 to 20 years).” NC State Extension gives an average life span of 30 years.
Is the Mimosa Tree Invasive?
Yes. The mimosa tree escapes from yards and spreads into natural areas, much like the Bradford pear tree, another popular ornamental that turned invasive.
How It Spreads
- Long-lived seeds. University of Tennessee Extension says up to 90 percent of seeds can stay viable after five years of dormancy, and a >Mississippi State University Geosystems Research Institute fact sheet says seeds can stay dormant for up to 50 years.
- Water and soil. Mississippi State lists water currents, moved soil and waterfowl as ways the seeds travel. >Alabama Cooperative Extension notes that trees along rivers can spread seeds over long distances.
- Root sprouts. It forms colonies from root sprouts on disturbed sites, per >eXtension’s invasive species site.
Alabama Extension says it competes with native plants for light, water and nutrients.
Status in Selected States
| State | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | FISC Category 1 invasive; UF/IFAS assessment: invasive, not recommended | >UF/IFAS Plant Directory |
| North Carolina | Listed as invasive by the NC Invasive Plant Council | NC State Extension |
| Mississippi | Present statewide; no state or federal rule prohibits moving it | Mississippi State GRI |
| Missouri | Becomes weedy as far north as central Missouri | >Missouri Invasives |
None of these sources says homeowners must remove an existing tree. UF/IFAS Extension notes that some cities have banned new plantings. Rules change, so check with your state’s department of agriculture.
Common Mimosa Tree Problems
1. Mimosa Wilt (Fusarium Wilt)
This is the biggest health problem. >Virginia Cooperative Extension identifies the cause as a lethal soil-borne fungus, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. pernicosum. UF/IFAS Extension calls the wilt “fatal,” says it has killed many roadside trees and notes it can spread to nearby mimosas through root grafts.
2. Mimosa Webworm and Other Pests
UF/IFAS Extension and NC State Extension both list the mimosa webworm, along with mites and cottony cushion scale.
3. Weak Wood, Litter and Roots
NC State Extension says the limbs are weak and can break in wind, snow or ice, and warns of heavy cleanup from leaves, blooms and pods near homes. UF/IFAS adds that two or three large roots at the trunk base can lift walks and patios.
4. Toxic Seeds
Alabama Extension and NC State Extension both note that the seeds contain a neurotoxin that can harm dogs and livestock.
When Should You Remove a Mimosa Tree?
Because the tree is invasive and short-lived, removal is often the sensible choice. Consider it when:
- Branches are wilting and dying back, or the tree is dead.
- Limbs have broken, or the tree hangs over a roof or play area.
- Roots are lifting a walk or patio.
- Seedlings are coming up in your yard or along a nearby stream.
- Dogs or livestock could eat the seeds.
Our guide on when to remove a tree instead of treating it walks through the decision. Also check whether you need a permit before cutting.
How to Remove a Mimosa Tree So It Doesn’t Come Back
Cutting a mimosa down is not enough. Invasive.org says it resprouts vigorously, and FEIS reports sprouts can grow more than 3 feet in one season.
Small Seedlings: Hand-Pull
University of Tennessee Extension advises hand-pulling young plants when the soil is moist, so the roots come out whole.
Trees: Cut and Treat the Stump
- Cut at ground level, ideally before the tree sets seed (Invasive.org).
- Treat the stump right away. Alabama Cooperative Extension says to apply an herbicide such as glyphosate to the stump, and that glyphosate works best when applied as soon as the tree is cut. Mississippi State says concentrated triclopyr can be applied to cut stumps immediately after cutting.
- Follow the label. Mississippi State reminds readers that its mixing tables are not a substitute for label directions.
- Watch for sprouts. Invasive.org says follow-up cuttings are usually needed.
Other options listed by University of Tennessee Extension include basal bark and “hack and squirt” treatments with glyphosate or triclopyr. For thickets, see effective techniques for tree and bush removal.
Grinding helps, but leftover roots can still sprout. Read what happens to roots after stump grinding and how to kill a tree stump before you choose.
How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Mimosa Tree?
Most mimosas are small trees, so removal is usually on the low end. Based on >Lawn Love’s 2026 national data, a mimosa tree up to 30 feet typically costs $285 to $435 to remove, and a larger one between 30 and 60 feet costs $435 to $870. Stump removal is usually extra, about $180 to $525, and it matters more than usual with mimosa because of root sprouts. The national average for tree removal of all sizes is about $850. Get a quick estimate with our tree removal cost calculator.
| Mimosa size | Typical removal cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| Small tree, up to 30 ft | $285 – $435 |
| Large tree, 30–60 ft | $435 – $870 |
| Stump removal (added cost) | $180 – $525 |
| National average, all tree sizes | About $850 |
Source: >Lawn Love, How Much Does Tree Removal Cost in 2026? National averages; local prices vary.
For more detail, see small tree removal cost, compare species with the tree removal cost by size and type calculator, or price the stump with the stump removal cost calculator.
What to Plant Instead of a Mimosa Tree
Extension services suggest these natives:
| Native alternative | Recommended by |
|---|---|
| Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) | UT Extension, NC State Extension, Invasive.org |
| Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) | UT Extension, NC State Extension, Invasive.org |
| Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) | UT Extension, NC State Extension, Invasive.org |
| Fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus) | UT Extension, NC State Extension, Invasive.org |
| American holly (Ilex opaca) | UT Extension, NC State Extension |
| Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) | Alabama Extension, NC State Extension |
| River birch (Betula nigra) | NC State Extension, Invasive.org |
| Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) | Alabama Extension, NC State Extension |
Alabama Extension notes that sourwood blooms in summer and attracts bees, and buttonbush suits moist soil at pond edges.
NC State Extension mentions the cultivars ‘Merlot Majik’ and ‘Summer Chocolate’ as sterile types that “do not reseed as rampantly.” Virginia Cooperative Extension warns that cultivars still produce seed and are considered potentially invasive.
Before you plant, check how far apart to plant trees and budget with our tree planting cost guide.
Mimosa Tree FAQs
Is a mimosa tree invasive?
Yes. It spreads by long-lived seeds and root sprouts. Florida lists it as FISC Category 1, and the NC Invasive Plant Council lists it as invasive.
How long do mimosa trees live?
UF/IFAS Extension gives 10 to 20 years, and NC State Extension an average of 30 years.
How tall does a mimosa tree get?
Usually 20 to 40 feet, per NC State Extension. The USDA Forest Service gives 10 to 50 feet.
Why does my mimosa tree keep coming back after I cut it down?
It resprouts from the stump and roots. Treat the stump with herbicide right after cutting, following the label, and pull new sprouts.
Are mimosa seeds poisonous to dogs?
Yes. Alabama and NC State Extension say the seeds contain a neurotoxin that can harm dogs and livestock.
How much does it cost to remove a mimosa tree?
About $285 to $435 for a tree up to 30 feet, based on 2026 national data, or $435 to $870 for 30 to 60 feet. Stump removal adds $180 to $525.
The Bottom Line
A mimosa tree looks lovely each summer, but it is short-lived, weak-wooded, prone to fatal wilt and invasive. Remove it, treat the stump right away and replace it with a native tree such as serviceberry, redbud or fringe tree. Start with a free estimate from our tree removal cost calculator.
Related guides: Maple tree · Palm tree · Bradford pear tree · Sweetgum tree · Ash tree · Cottonwood tree · Willow tree · All tree species guides
Sources
- >USDA Forest Service – Fire Effects Information System: Albizia julibrissin
- >UF/IFAS Extension – Albizia julibrissin: Mimosa (ST068)
- >UF/IFAS Plant Directory – Albizia julibrissin
- >NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox – Albizia julibrissin
- >Virginia Cooperative Extension – Mimosa (HORT-19)
- >University of Tennessee Extension – Mimosa (W232)
- >Alabama Cooperative Extension – The Mimosa Tree: Beautiful but Invasive
- >Mississippi State University GRI – Invasive Plant Factsheet: Mimosa/Silk Tree
- >Invasive.org – Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas: Silk Tree
- >eXtension Invasive Species – Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin)
- >Missouri Invasives – Mimosa or Silk Tree
- >Lawn Love – How Much Does Tree Removal Cost in 2026?
Pingback: Willow Tree: Roots, Problems, Lifespan & Removal Cost