Invasive exotic species are the second leading cause of biodiversity loss worldwide, primarily due to the replacement of native species through competition, predation, parasitism, and changes in ecosystem function. Invasive exotic species pose significant challenges for natural resource managers charged with maintaining the biological diversity and integrity of ecosystems. While many commonalities exist between the introduction and spread of several serious invasive species, the threats posed by individual species are not necessarily equivalent and vary depending on location within the introduced range and the different roles that disturbance plays in the establishment, spread, and persistence of the exotic species. The objective of this session is to bring together speakers from throughout the Eastern United States to discuss the role of both natural and anthropogenic disturbances in the spread of exotic invasives in forested ecosystems.