Results/Conclusions: The results of CART model indicate that based on the absence and presence of tallow tree in each FIA plot, the southeastern states could be divided into 3 invasive regions/stages: high elevation inland low propagule pressure region (introduction), coastal low elevation moderate propagule pressure region (establishment), and coastal low elevation high propagule pressure region (spread). According to these 3 regions, the logistic regression models show that the spread of Chinese tallow in inland area is driven by the inciting factors (ownership and hurricane speed) and propagule pressure; compared to other forest types, oak-gum-cypress and elm-ash-cotton wood have more tallow infested plots. In the coastal moderate propagule pressure region, the inciting factors are not significant to tallow spread but the propagule pressure and forest types (predisposing factors) are significant. In the coastal high propagule pressure area, the family owned private land is significant for the spread of Chinese tallow tress, due to the homogenous distribution of the tallow infested plots and high propagule pressure. The spread of Chinese tallow at regional level follows a nonstationary pattern. This invasive process is determined by predisposing and inciting factors, and the invisibility of the native ecosystems.
