Combining mechanical control and tree planting to restore montane Atlantic forests dominated by the Neotropical bracken (Pteridium arachnoideum)

•Intensive mechanical removal rapidly decreases the dominance of P. arachnoideum.•Control may be more beneficial to invasive grass species than to tree regeneration.•Planted trees tend to show low survival and slow growth, thus not assisting control.•Mechanical removal and planting drought tolerant trees may promote forest recovery.