Some trees, shrubs, and other plants are not recommended for planting because they are considered invasive.
Invasive plants have a tendency to spread and disrupt ecosystems in natural areas such as state and national parks and forest preserves. They can out-compete native plants, upsetting the balance of the ecosystem. They can make the habitat less suitable for native plants and animals. Invasive plant species are a significant and ongoing land management concern.
Even if these trees, shrubs, and other plants don’t cause problems in a garden or yard, they may still be a serious threat when they spread to nearby natural areas.
In northern Illinois, examples of invasive species include common buckthorn, Callery pear, Amur maple, burning bush, Norway maple, tree of heaven, and barberry. Even some native plants have undesirable invasive tendencies, such as boxelder.