5 Trees to Avoid Planting in Your Yard
- Hackberry
Hackberry may sound appealing since it’s very hardy and resistant to drought, heat, poor soil, and other problems that can kill trees. But it also is a haven for insects and disease. Its leaves can attract wooly aphids that drip sticky honeydew, creating a mess. On top of this, black mold grows on the honeydew, making everything under the tree look black.
- Quaking Aspen
This type of tree is attractive, but its root system causes a problem. The quaking aspen needs plenty of nutrients, so it sends out shoots in nearby soil – even including a neighbor’s lawn. Weed-like plants appear, and since they’re attached to the tree’s main root system, if you try to kill them with herbicide you can damage the tree. Quaking aspens can also develop lumps and bumps on their stems and branches, which result from a fly that deposits its eggs on these areas in early spring.
- Bradford Pear
The Bradford pair has pretty spring blossoms, but when you step a little closer, you’ll realize that they’re pretty stinky. And since the tree is shaped like a pyramid, it’s likely to split and crack during storms or high winds. This is true even if you prune your Bradford Pear.
- Mulberry
A mulberry tree will add lots of unwelcome additions to your yard, including big surface roots and plenty of pollen. It also creates so much shade underneath the tree that grass won’t grow there. In addition, you’ll find that you’ve planted a feast for silkworms, since the mulberry is this insect’s only food source.
- Silver Maple
Silver Maple roots are well known for being fast growers, but they’re equally known for invading water lines and cracking pavement. Their branches are weak, so they’re likely to come down in storms, and they drop lots of seeds that sprout baby maple trees.
Yard and home improvements should be carefully researched before you dive into a project. Spending a little time choosing the right tree is much more beneficial than quickly picking the wrong one. Let us know in the comments below if you’re planning a home or yard project!
