What Trees Should Not Be Planted Close to a House?

Learn about what trees should not be planted close to your house: oak ash poplar Bradford pear mimosa Chinese tallow Norwegian maple Sky Tree weeping willow mulberry white birch foxglove cypresses.

What Trees Should Not Be Planted Close to a House?

The worst trees to plant near a house are oak, ash and poplar trees, since these species are the most likely to cause damage to the foundation of a house. Choosing a smaller tree with a non-invasive root system is the best option for planting close to a house. By selecting the right tree, you can avoid future problems with roots that damage the foundation of your house or leaves that constantly fall on your front door. Make the decision stress-free by learning about the best and worst trees to plant near a house. Poplar trees should be avoided when planting in your backyard.

Many homeowners prefer poplar due to its aesthetically pleasing appearance and low maintenance. However, poplar has a very soft and shallow root system, making it very unstable during severe storms. The Bradford pear tree is quite exotic, imported just over a century ago. It is very durable and requires little or no long-term maintenance.

The tree was particularly popular around the 1960s, but was mainly planted in urban settings, as opposed to residential developments. The reason you should never plant the Bradford pear tree in your backyard is because its characteristic pyramid shape makes it very fragile; its branches tend to break during storms or strong winds, just like poplar. The mimosa tree is also known for its extremely fragile wood that doesn't make it a particularly reliable tree. Commonly known as the popcorn tree, given the appearance of its flowers, Chinese tallow stands out for its wide leaves, which are known for providing great shade, as well as for acquiring bright colors during autumn. The Norwegian maple is not native to the United States, but it is actually one of the most versatile maple varieties, since it can be adapted quite easily. Not only does its dense shade prevent other plants from receiving much needed sunlight, but its fibrous roots are quite “greedy”, absorbing all the nutrients in the soil before any other plant has a chance to do so. Eucalyptus extract is used in a variety of ointments and treatments today, and the strong scent of this tree attracts most people.

Poplars are beautiful and majestic trees that look stunning in large gardens; however, they have thirsty, fast-growing roots that can damage drainage systems. Like poplars, oak trees absorb a lot of water; their maximum height and extension can exceed 12 meters in any direction, so they need a lot of space to expand. Foxglove (Paulownia tomentosa) grow very quickly, with adventitious roots that can damage drains and pavements. These beautiful trees are best placed in medium and large gardens, away from the house. Willows are some of the thirstiest terrestrial plants in existence; they have hard and very adventitious roots that seek water, often to the detriment of drains. Cypresses are in high demand for water and are often planted in poorly draining clay soil to help remove some of the moisture; this can be a problem near homes, where the ground can contract and damage the foundation. Several trees should be avoided to ensure the health of your base; some of these trees include ash, oak and poplar.

Red oak is a messy tree; they drop large leaves and acorns in autumn. If you place your car under its shade, acorns that fall from a tall enough branch can make a small dent in your car. Red oak also sheds an enormous volume of catkins, small clusters of flowers with pollen; catkins can cause allergies and if they build up in the car they can also damage the vehicle's electrical components. The Bradford pear is extremely attractive to developers because of its ability to grow quickly and provide shade. The tree produces beautiful white flowers during spring and beautiful foliage in fall; however, it is known for its particularly fragile branches.

During winter, snow and ice that build up on branches can easily break them. In addition, its flowers produce smelly odors. In many areas, Bradford pear is reputed to be an invasive herb. Ginkgo trees are beautiful, resilient in various climates and generally good choices for gardens as long as female ginkgo trees are not planted. For quality tree service, disease control, protective pruning, stump milling and pest control Great Northern GreenEnery is your local tree arborist. The weeping willow (Salix babylonica) is a beautiful tree seen along the coast but it's too big and messy for the typical home landscape.

While some trees are known for their soft woods and weak root system, mulberry tree is radically different. In addition, white birch has shallow roots which makes it quite unstable and dangerous to grow anywhere near your home. Some of the best evergreen trees to plant near your home include American holly, bronze loquat and some fruit trees. While trees can provide shade and beautiful views when they are close to your home, wrong type of tree near your house can adversely affect your home. Planting a tree is an investment and you shouldn't put yourself at risk simply by selecting wrong tree species. The Sky Tree (Ailanthus altissima) is an imported pest that is dirty, messy, invasive and simply doesn't fit familiar landscapes. If you need to plant a tree close to your house - for example if you have small patio and there's no other place to plant it - there are few trees you can consider: American holly (Ilex opaca), bronze loquat (Eriobotrya deflexa) or some fruit trees such as apple (Malus domestica) or cherry (Prunus avium).For quality tree service such as disease control or protective pruning Great Northern GreenEnery is your local arborist.

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