Ligustrum, aka privet.

there are some invasive ones ... so if it just popped up randomly ... it may be one of those ...

ken

Ligustrum japonicum

I have a couple of privet volunteers. You can take the hedge clippers to those and they'll grow twice as big a month later.

I believe privet is what it is. there are several growing at the edge of a wooded area. I’m guessing they are all just volunteers as I don’t think anyone ever planted anything on this piece of land.

is there a way I can tell if they are invasive or not? I know our area has the invasive kudzu and wisteria so I’m wondering if this privet might be an invasive species as well.

ALL privet is considered invasive through most of the southeastern US. No species are native to the US and all have the ability to self seed freely and the berries/seeds are transported widely by birds. That's why you will encounter these spontaneous volunteers so frequently. Plus, the scent of the flowers is so cloying sweet to the point of being almost nauseating and it is a very heavy pollen producer as well.

Privet as an Invasive Plant

I didn’t realize that it was a big pollen issue. My son is really bothered by allergies. I’ll have to go see how many there are and where.