Over the years a number of invasive plants have made their way into Tennessee. Privet (Ligustrum sinensis) a common one. Originally privet is native to Asia but has run rampant in the Southern United States.
Privet has several characteristics that actually might make it desirable. It’s evergreen and can provide a great privacy screen. Privet is tolerant of all kinds of soil types and drought. The flowers also produce a nice fragrance when in bloom.
Unfortunately those positive traits also can be negative when combined with its invasive nature. Privet reproduces prolifically. The fragrant flowers produce tons of berries which the birds spread all over.
Once privet takes hold it’s hard to defeat. Goats enjoy eating it, you can use herbicides, or you can cut it down and keep it maintained.
If you have privet remove as much of it as possible before it displaces plants that are more valuable for our native wildlife.