16 Trees You Should Never Plant Near Your House To Avoid Costly Mistakes
Thinking about adding some trees to your yard? Before you do, there are 16 trees you might want to rethink planting near your house.
Some can cause serious damage to your foundation, plumbing, or even your roof. It’s all about making sure your home stays safe and your garden looks great. T
rust me, avoiding these trees will save you a lot of headaches—and money—in the long run!
1. Silver Maple
The silver maple is like that friend who just doesn’t know when to leave. With its rapid growth and extensive root system, it’s the marathon runner of the tree world.
Silver maples love to stretch their roots, often infiltrating water pipes and lifting sidewalks like they’ve got something to prove. Unless you’re fond of costly plumbing repairs and tripping hazards, this isn’t the tree for you.
2. Willow
Ah, the graceful willow with its flowing branches and romantic silhouette! Perfect for a water’s edge but maybe not so much for your garden.
Willow roots are thirsty and can seek out water pipes, causing leaks and blockages. Unless you’re angling for a side job as a plumber, keep this beauty at a distance.
3. American Elm
Known for their grand arches, these towering giants are admired by many, but they come with a heavy price.
Their spreading roots can disrupt foundations and sidewalks, and their susceptibility to Dutch elm disease means they might not even stick around for long. Unless you’re into the hassle, it’s best to admire them from afar.
4. Eucalyptus
With scents that can clear your sinuses, these aromatic trees are the divas of the plant world. But they come with a catch—shedding bark and flammable oils that can make them a fire hazard, especially in dry climates.
Unless you enjoy living on the edge, it’s best to plant these beauties far from your home. Safety first, but with that lovely, fresh aroma!
5. Cottonwood
They might look soft and inviting, but cottonwoods are like the pillow fights of the tree world!
Their fluffy seeds can turn your yard into a snowstorm in the middle of summer, and their roots are always on the move, causing cracks in foundations. Unless you’re a fan of constant clean-ups and repairs, it’s best to keep these trees at a distance.
6. Mimosa
Known for their pink blossoms and ability to attract admirers, these trees are the social butterflies of the garden. But don’t be fooled—mimosas are also prone to pests and diseases, often crashing your garden party.
Their weak wood can snap in storms, risking damage to your property. Unless you’re into unexpected guests and repairs, it’s best to keep them at arm’s length.
7. Bradford Pear
These spring beauties may wow you with their white blossoms, but don’t be fooled—they’ve got a dark side.
Known for their fragile branches, they’re prone to snapping under pressure, and a storm can easily split them, risking damage to your home or car. If you’re all about beauty without the drama, it’s best to keep t
8. Poplar
Towering tall and growing at lightning speed, these trees might look impressive, but they come with their fair share of issues.
Their weak wood is prone to breaking, and their roots are relentless, creeping into pipes and foundations. If you’re not up for constant repairs, it’s better to admire them
9. Black Walnut
These trees are the alchemists of nature, producing a toxin called juglone that can turn your garden into a battleground by stunting the growth of nearby plants.
On top of that, their nuts can cause some serious damage to cars and roofs. If you’re not into toxic relationships and expensive repairs, it’s best to keep black walnuts far from your home.
10. Mulberry
While mulberry trees might bring back memories of childhood summers, they’re also the messy eaters of the tree world.
Their berries stain driveways and sidewalks without a second thought, and their roots are just as troublesome, causing cracks in foundations. If you’d rather avoid stains and costly repairs, it’s best to keep these trees far from your home.
11. Norway Maple
These overachievers of the tree world love to cast a dense, impenetrable shadow, which might seem cozy at first. But that shade can smother your garden, leaving grass and other plants struggling to grow.
Add to that their roots, which steal all the nutrients, and you’ve got a recipe for a barren landscape. Keep these maples far from your garden for a healthier, more vibrant space!
12. Ginkgo
Living fossils with their unique fan-shaped leaves, these trees are ancient marvels. But the female variety brings a serious downside—their seeds produce a strong, unpleasant odor, often compared to old cheese.
The smell can be overwhelming, and the mess from falling seeds only adds to the trouble. For a more pleasant garden experience, keep these trees at a respectable distance!
13. Sycamore
With their towering height and mottled bark that peels away like a sunburn, sycamores are the gentle giants of the tree world.
But don’t be fooled— their roots are notorious for lifting sidewalks and creeping into sewer lines, while fallen leaves and seeds can leave you constantly cleaning. If you’re not a fan of non-stop yard work, it’s best to admire sycamores from afar!
14. Sweetgum
Spiky seed pods that turn your lawn into a battlefield, sweetgum trees bring a whole lot of drama.
These sharp little pods are a nightmare for bare feet and lawnmowers, and their roots are known for causing chaos with sidewalks and foundations. If you’re not up for constant clean-ups and repairs, it’s better to plant them elsewhere!
15. Aspen
Imagine throwing a party and inviting the most social guest—only to realize they brought along a bunch of uninvited pests and won’t stop taking over the place!
That’s what happens when you plant these fast-spreading troublemakers. Their roots creep into everything, their leaves may shimmer, but they’re magnets for diseases and bugs.
16. Ash
Think you’re planting a tough, dependable tree? Not so fast! These towering beauties may look the part, but they’re a prime target for the emerald ash borer—a tiny pest with a big appetite.
Once it moves in, your tree doesn’t stand a chance, quickly turning into lifeless wood. On top of that, their roots love to spread out and could end up causing problems for your foundation!