Nearly 65% of homeowners regret at least one landscaping choice, and trees are often the biggest sin. Trees add up to 15% to property value, offer shade, and invite wildlife, but not all are right for your yard. Others possess invasive roots, regular mess, and high maintenance requirements that transform your new landscaping endeavor into a nightmare.
If you’re about to break ground, look at our list of 25 trees you wish never planted. We’ve also included low-maintenance, yard-friendly alternatives that pack lots of beauty without the hassle. You’re ready to transform your outdoor space without regrets. Let’s dive in!
Silver Maple
Silver maples proliferate into 50–80-foot tall trees in 20 to 30 years, but sometimes, the fast growth of the roots is destructive, and the branches are weak and brittle. Arborist Linda McConnell warns, “Its shallow roots can damage sidewalks, foundations, and pipes.”
In a 2022 survey, 40% of homeowners removed silver maples because of these problems. Plant a sugar maple instead if you want a sturdier, low-maintenance alternative.
Bradford Pear
Grow fast—up to 15 feet in 5–10 years—but don’t last long—15–20 years—because of weak wood and structural problems.
Dr. David Coyle of Clemson University warns, “Its rapid growth comes at a cost—weak wood makes it prone to breaking during storms.” It is aggressively crowding out native plants, discouraging the U.S. Forest Service from planting them.
Unless you want beauty and something relatively long-lived, consider resilient alternatives such as flowering dogwood or serviceberry.
Eucalyptus
The U.S. Forest Service says eucalyptus trees are messy and highly flammable. They shed up to 6 tons of debris per acre annually and fuel fires that can spread at 20 mph.
Use native oaks or sycamores for safer, lower-maintenance shade.
Black Walnut
The reason is that black walnuts produce juglone, a toxin that inhibits the growth of over 30 plants, stunts, and wilts tomatoes and peppers in your garden.
However, perhaps more friendly options, such as white oak or black cherry trees, should be planted instead.
Mimosa Tree (Silk Tree)
Although beautiful, the mimosa tree is short-lived, only living up to 20 years. Its fickle disposition makes it highly susceptible to aphids, webworms, and vascular wilt from the Fusarium fungus.
An Eastern redbud is a low-maintenance alternative with vibrant color.
Mulberry Tree
The mulberry tree is said to grow fast, but the trees are messy, producing stains from their fruit and invasive roots that can spread up to three times the canopy width and wreak havoc on pipes and foundations.
Don’t want a fruiting mulberry? Then, plant a fruitless mulberry hybrid.
White Pine
Though lovely, white pines are high-maintenance trees with weak wood and a continual need for raking.
The USDA Forest Service says they will break under heavy snow or ice. However, research by the University of Minnesota shows they also generate large amounts of yard debris that must be swept up weekly.
The Austrian pine offers a sturdier alternative that provides similar aesthetics.
Willow Trees
Willows consume 100 gallons of water daily and have roots that reach three times the tree’s height. They often damage water lines, septic systems, and sidewalks, costing the neighborhood $1,000 to $10,000 to repair. “Willow roots are aggressive and destructive,” warns Dr. Emily Carter, a 15-year arborist.
To avoid battling your soil, try river birch for a less problematic plant that thrives in wet soil.
Norway Maple
This invasive species harms ecosystems by absorbing up to 50 gallons of water daily, shading native plants out by 90%. It can potentially destroy plants and animals that depend on them. Ecologist Dr. Jane Smith predicts its devastating impact on plant diversity.
You can still try to use eco-friendly native red maples instead.
Poplar Trees
Poplar trees grow fast, reaching 50–160 feet in just 20 years, but they only live for 30–50 years and are subject to root diseases such as Armillaria root rot. These aggressive roots—often reaching three times the tree’s height—can crack pipes, destabilize foundations, and slowly slide the house downhill. Dr. Laura Johnson, a certified arborist, warns of these issues.
Hackberry trees make for a more durable shade tree.
Box Elder
Box elder trees draw boxelder bugs, which migrate in large numbers to homes during cooler weather. A 2020 National Pest Management Association survey shows that 70% of homeowners near boxelders were plagued by fall infestations.
If you don’t want this hassle, try planting pest-resistant options like the ironwood tree.
Tree of Heaven
The plant can grow as much as 3 feet a season, which makes it difficult to control. Sixty percent of gardeners need help managing it.
While this is a beautiful species, it can become invasive, outcompete native plants, and quickly create ecological disruptions. The tree also has a strong, offensive smell, and its flowers, in particular, are considered unpleasant by many people.
Choose native alternatives—sweetgum, for instance.
Russian Olive
The Russian olive is an invasive plant in North America. It is fast-spreading and detrimental to native plant diversity. Dense stands displace native vegetation and result in drastic reductions in biological diversity.
Instead, consider planting a beautiful, wildlife-friendly alternative such as American holly.
Leyland Cypress
Leyland cypresses grow rapidly (3 to 4 feet per year) but are short-lived, living only 10 to 20 years, and require constant pruning.
Dr. Jane Smith warns that they are highly prone to disease. As many as 30 percent of mature trees in some areas are affected by canker and root rot.
Arborvitae or yew are a low-maintenance alternative.
Aspen Trees
Aspens spread rapidly by root suckers, and a Utah study showed one clone spread for 100 feet in 10 years.
Dr. Jane Thompson notes, “Aspens are remarkably resilient, quickly dominating landscapes,” but they are up to 40% more vulnerable to pests outside their native range.
Birch trees are a good lower-maintenance alternative.
Sweetgum
Fall color is beautiful on sweetgum trees, but they drop hundreds of spiky seed pods per season, making them hazards for lawns and walkers.
Dr. John Smith of Greenway University notes these “gumballs,” each holding up to 50 seeds, are a common nuisance.
Planting a bald cypress would be the way to go if you want a beautiful, hassle-free alternative.
Sweetgum
Fall color is beautiful on sweetgum trees, but they drop hundreds of spiky seed pods per season, making them hazards for lawns and walkers.
Dr. John Smith of Greenway University notes these “gumballs,” each holding up to 50 seeds, are a common nuisance.
Planting a bald cypress would be the way to go if you want a beautiful, hassle-free alternative.
