Did you know that some trees growing in your Arkansas yard could actually get you in trouble with the law? Property owners across the state face potential fines when certain invasive or hazardous trees aren’t removed promptly.
Understanding which trees pose legal risks can help you avoid costly penalties while protecting your community and environment.
1. Callery Pear (Bradford Pear)
Arkansas banned the sale and cultivation of Callery pears starting in 2024 because they spread like wildfire across natural areas. Those pretty white flowers you see every spring hide a serious problem—sharp thorns and dense thickets that choke out native plants.
Local ordinances in some counties require property owners to remove existing trees or face fines. The wood is weak and branches break easily during storms, creating safety hazards.
Removing them now protects Arkansas forests from further invasion.
2. Tree Of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
With a name that sounds heavenly, this tree is actually a nightmare for property owners. It releases chemicals into soil that destroy surrounding plants and spreads aggressively through root suckers.
Many Arkansas municipalities classify it as a noxious weed, requiring removal within specific timeframes. Failure to comply can result in fines ranging from fifty to several hundred dollars per violation.
Its rapid growth and foul-smelling leaves make identification easy for enforcement officers.
3. Chinese Tallow Tree
Brought to America for its waxy seeds, the Chinese tallow now ranks among Arkansas’s most destructive invasive trees. It forms dense stands in wetlands and bottomlands, pushing out native species that wildlife depends on.
State environmental regulations target this species for mandatory removal in certain conservation areas. Property owners near protected lands may receive notices requiring tree removal within thirty to ninety days.
Ignoring these orders triggers escalating fines and possible legal action.
4. Diseased Trees Near Structures
Even native trees become legal liabilities when they rot and threaten buildings, power lines, or sidewalks. City codes throughout Arkansas require property owners to maintain trees in safe condition or remove dangerous ones.
Insurance companies often refuse to cover damage caused by obviously diseased trees that weren’t addressed. Neighbors can file complaints that trigger inspections and mandatory removal orders.
Fines increase if deadlines pass without action, sometimes reaching thousands of dollars.
5. Mimosa Tree (Albizia julibrissin)
Those fuzzy pink blooms might look beautiful, but mimosa trees earned their spot on Arkansas’s invasive species watchlist. They produce thousands of seeds that sprout everywhere, creating maintenance headaches for entire neighborhoods.
Several counties have enacted ordinances specifically targeting mimosas for removal. The trees also attract webworms that defoliate branches and create unsightly messes.
Property owners in regulated areas must remove them or face monthly fines until compliance occurs.
6. Diseased Elms with Dutch Elm Disease
Dutch Elm Disease has devastated elm populations across America, and Arkansas takes its spread seriously. When an elm shows infection signs like wilting yellow leaves or peeling bark, it becomes a breeding ground for beetles that carry the disease.
Many cities require immediate removal of infected elms to protect neighboring trees. Health department inspectors can issue removal orders with tight deadlines.
Failing to act spreads the disease and results in substantial fines plus removal costs.
7. Russian Olive Trees
Russian olives might survive harsh conditions, but that toughness makes them invasive troublemakers in Arkansas. Their silvery leaves look distinctive, and sharp thorns make removal painful work.
These trees fix nitrogen in soil, changing ground chemistry and preventing native plants from growing. Environmental protection districts sometimes mandate their removal from riparian areas and conservation lands.
Property owners who delay face increasing fines and potential liens on their property until compliance.
8. Leaning Trees Over Public Rights-of-Way
Any tree leaning toward streets, sidewalks, or public spaces creates liability issues that Arkansas municipalities don’t take lightly. Storm damage or root failure can send these trees crashing onto pedestrians or vehicles.
City arborists regularly inspect problematic trees and issue removal orders to property owners. The legal responsibility falls on whoever owns the land where roots are anchored.
Ignoring these orders brings fines, forced removal at owner expense, and potential lawsuits if accidents occur.