The invasive plant species Japanese hop (Humulus japonicus Sieb. & Zucc.) and reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) are increasing in cover in Upper Mississippi River floodplains where they negatively impact native vegetation. This study evaluated novel reforestation methods to rapidly close canopy openings colonized by invasives and reduce their cover at four study sites ranging from southern Wisconsin to southwestern Illinois. Each site contained three replicates of four 20x20m plots comprising four tree planting treatments. These included two using large diameter willow (Salix L.) cuttings planted at different densities, one using container stock of American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis L.) and eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides W. Bartram ex Marshall), and a control plot with no planted trees. Half of each planting treatment also received maintenance treatments for invasives control. Results indicated that planting and maintenance had significant effects on tree survival, invasives cover, and plant community diversity. Specifically, trees that received maintenance had higher survival than those that did not, and Salix cuttings had higher survival than container stock. Annual tree height growth was greatest in Salix cuttings planted at the highest density. Invasive species cover declined significantly maintenance treatments and Salix plantings. Change in plant community diversity was greater in maintenance treatments and in Salix plantings, but was still extremely low at the northernmost site. Vegetation patterns were strongly influenced by invasives and reinforced the general inverse relationship between plant community diversity and invasives cover. Overall, results indicated that tree plantings using large Salix cuttings can be an effective method to quickly reforest areas along the Upper Mississippi River that have been colonized by invasive plant species, and that incorporating tree planting maintenance activities in early years can lead to better survival.