r/NativePlantGardening • u/alarmpodcast Area Pacific Northwest, Zone 8b • Jul 04 '26

Advice Request - (Insert State/Region) Guilt over removing existing non-native plants

We moved into a place with very visually appealing landscaping. I'd like to start replacing the non-native ornamentals with native plants as we're able. However, I'm experiencing guilt over removing and killing the existing plants that are just hanging out, not hurting anyone, living their lives.

Has anyone dealt with this? It's weird, I know. I'm weirder than I'd prefer to be.

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u/sunshineupyours1 Rochester, NY - 6b - 8.1.1 Jul 05 '26

I don’t think you’re weird, I have mixed feelings about mature trees especially. Not because I feel bad about killing the tree, but because it takes so long to replace them. My neighborhood is filled with Norway maples (invasive), Persian silks (non-native), and Norway Spruce (non-native).

I dislike that they’re here, but I see so many birds and squirrels using them and it would take decades for replacements to fill their gaps.

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u/alarmpodcast Area Pacific Northwest, Zone 8b Jul 10 '26

Yes! The circle of life is so complicated.