Growing these trees increases the risk of fallen tree limbs and invasive roots
A strategically placed tree can greatly enhance your home’s exterior attractiveness and offer shade, privacy, and organization for garden areas. Nevertheless, certain types of trees feature aggressive root systems or fragile branches that tend to snap easily, often resulting in structural harm when situated close to houses.
Below, you will find the leading five tree varieties to steer clear of when planting close to houses and offices, along with recommendations for alternative species to consider.
Meet the Experts
- Alex Kasprzak is a certified arborist and founder of Elevated Tree Care, offering tree removal and maintenance services.
- Karen Manix is the co-proprietor of Walker Farm, a plant and tree nursery located in Vermont.
- Kevin Cleveland is a certified arborist and serves as the president of Tree Tech Inc.
Willow
Although they are visually stunning, it's not a great idea to plant a willow tree next to your home.
"They possess highly invasive root systems, and their fragile wood structure often leads to branch breakage," explains Alex Kasprzak from Elevated Tree Care.
Their root structures resemble the appearance of their extensive branches, which can indicate potential issues for constructions situated closeby.
Karen Manix, co-owner of the Walker Farm plant and tree nursery, explains, "The root system could undermine your house's foundation, or these roots might burrow into septic systems looking for additional moisture."
Alternate option: River Birch or Weeping Beech
Many homeowners opt for willow trees because they tolerate high levels of moisture well; however, several alternative water-loving species are available. For example, river birch trees thrive in damp conditions yet possess comparatively superficial root structures. Additionally, weeping beeches offer an appealing option with their non-invasive root systems and gracefully drooping limbs that rival the allure of weeping willows.
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Bradford Pear
Bradford pears flower in spring and they’re commonly planted in gardens and along neighborhood streets. But these trees aren’t recommended by tree pros for proximity to buildings.
“Bradford pears have poor branch structures, which makes them highly susceptible to limb failure,” says Kasprzak. “Their roots are mildly intrusive too.”
Keeping Bradford pears away from your home can help you avoid some potential issues, but growing them at all can be tricky because they are considered invasive Even when cultivated in gardens, Bradford pear trees have the potential to naturalize and become invasive, posing problems for indigenous flora and fauna. The most effective method to curb their dissemination is to avoid planting these trees altogether.
Alternate option: Serviceberry or Eastern Redbud
Instead of growing invasive Bradford pears, look for native flowering trees like serviceberry or eastern redbud. These trees both provide food and shelter for native wildlife, and they look just as pretty as Bradford pears when they bloom in spring.
Silver or Norway Maple
Maple trees have a stunning disposition, and there's nothing more beautiful than watching their leaves turn in the fall. However, you have to be careful about which type you choose, lest you threaten your home with burrowing roots or falling branches.
Among all the members of the maple genus, silver maples have the most intrusive roots,” warns Kasprzak. “They also have a fast growth rate that leads to weak branch attachments and increases the likelihood of fallen limbs.”
Aside from silver maples, it’s also a good idea to avoid planting Norway maples. Like Bradford pears, Norway maples grow invasively in many areas and they can outcompete sugar maples and other native trees.
Alternate option: Red Maple or Sugar Maple
Red maples and sugar maples share a resemblance with silver and Norway maples, yet they present lesser hazards for property owners. These species are indigenous to North America, and red maples offer spectacular crimson leaves during fall. Additionally, sugar maples excel as the premier choice for producing maple syrup.
Ash
Ash trees possess a grand appearance along with thick foliage that shelters various species of animals. However, these trees are diminishing in numerous regions because of the invasion of emerald ash borers. These tiny, green insects deposit their eggs on the bark of ash trees and can lead to the death of even sizable trees within just a few years.
“The extensive invasion of emerald ash borers makes it unadvisable to plant ash trees,” states Kevin Cleveland, president of Tree Tech Inc. “Should you choose to plant them, these trees will require prompt and continuous care to thrive.”
Alternative: Birch or Oak
Although emerald ash borers cause significant destruction, they typically show little interest in tree species beyond the ash family. Birch and oak trees often remain unscathed by these ravenous insects due to their resemblance to ash trees in appearance and texture.
Black Walnut
Apart from willows and Bradford pears, Kasprzak had one final tree he wanted to steer clear of: black walnuts.
“Branch failure is also common with these trees, and their roots are more invasive than most other deciduous trees ,” says Kasprzak.
Black walnut trees also release a toxic substance, known as juglone, into the soil, which keeps other plants from competing with black walnuts for space. Unfortunately, if juglone gets into your soil, it can make it hard to grow other ornamentals, and even interfere with the growth of edible crops like tomatoes.
Alternate options: Black Cherry or Staghorn Sumac
The pinnate foliage of black cherry trees and staghorn sumac closely resembles that of black walnut trees. Nevertheless, these indigenous species do not produce juglone in their soil, and they tend to draw finches as well as various other wild birds.
Read the initial article on The Spruce
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