Mimosa Tree (Albizia julibrissin)

This tree tends to be an invasive species in the Eastern half of the United States, but not in the Pacific Coast states, where it is used widely with no invasive tendencies.
I find the leaves very interesting. When it rains the leaves slowly close and they always close at night. You can also run your hand across the leaves and they will start closing.
In mid-summer my tree covers itself in beautiful pink flower puffs, which the bees, butterflies and hummingbirds love.
Once established, it is somewhat drought tolerant.

It can be a problem for people with pollen allergies.

Introduced to the United States in 1745 from China as an ornamental tree.

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Mimosa trees are common in the South, especially around old home sites. In fact, many Southerners consider these to be weed-type trees because they tend to reseed easily. A lot of them will have trunks that branch close to the ground, making them good climbing trees for kids. It can be a bit messy when the flowers fall to the ground.

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There is a strain of Mimosa trees that is dominant in the Birmingham, Alabama area and has white flowers instead of pink. In fact, when going through that region, I don't recall seeing any Mimosas with pink blooms, just white ones, and they grow wild everywhere.

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