We investigated the dynamics of woody, characteristic bayhead species (Gordonia lasianthus, Ilex cassine, Magnolia virginiana, Myrica cerifera, and Persea palustris) invasion into 50 seasonal ponds at three sites in south central Florida. Individuals of Gordonia lasianthus and Persea palustris were concentrated in the shallow Panicum abscissum zone, while Ilex cassine, Magnolia virginiana, and Myrica cerifera were concentrated in the fringing Serenoa repens zone. Trees of all species had the largest diameters in the cutthroat zone. Deeper pond zones were less often invaded. The natural log of bayhead invasion density was negatively correlated with distance from nearest bayhead. Both large and small trees followed this pattern, suggesting that the invasion process is ongoing and has a long history. The likelihood of finding at least one bayhead invader is positively related to the area of the pond. Woody bayhead invasion of seasonal ponds depends upon the distribution of vegetation at the landscape level. Habitat destruction and fragmentation are likely to reduce the occurrence of this invasion by isolating both seasonal ponds and bayheads.