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Is Autumn olive illegal in Tennessee?
Sources (3)
- Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. ch. 0080-06-24 Pest Plant Regulations (Tennessee Secretary of State, PDF rev. April 2009)
- Tennessee SOS — Department of Agriculture rules index – Tennessee Secretary of State (Rules)
- Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0080-06-24-.02 Pest Plant List (LII) – Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute
Also called: Elaeagnus umbellata. Last checked against official sources: 2026-10-14.
Federal noxious weed list (7 CFR 360.200): Autumn olive is not listed.
What Tennessee's official list says
| List / legal category | Listed as | List note | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pest plant (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0080-06-24-.02) — may not be propagated, sold, offered for sale or released | Elaeagnus umbellata | autumn olive (retail Jan 2010; wholesale Jan 2012) | Yes — listed as prohibited |
Effective dates
- retail Jan 2010; wholesale Jan 2012 (from the official list entry)
Already have it in your yard?
Most state invasive-plant laws, including the list wording above, target selling, distributing, propagating or planting. They generally do not order you to remove a plant already in your yard, but some noxious-weed laws do require control. Read the linked law or ask your county Extension office.
Native alternatives for Tennessee
- Canadian serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis)
- Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)
- Blackhaw viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium)
- Silky dogwood (Cornus amomum)
- American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)
Each is recorded as native to Tennessee in the USDA NRCS PLANTS Database state distribution (retrieved 2026-10-14). Check size, sun and soil fit for your site with your local Extension office.
More native swaps with hardiness, light and size →
Autumn olive in other states
Connecticut Delaware Illinois Indiana Maine Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota New Hampshire New Jersey New York Ohio South Carolina Vermont Virginia West Virginia Wisconsin
See every plant on Tennessee's invasive & noxious plant lists, or check any plant.
Not legal advice. PlantLegit summarizes official lists and links the source. Laws change, local (county/city) rules may add restrictions, and the official text controls. "What it means" is our plain-English label; read the exact list wording. Confirm with the agency before buying, selling or removing plants. Full disclaimer.