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Planting trees can add beauty, shade, and value to your yard—it’s rewarding to watch them grow year after year. But not every tree is a good fit for every space. Choosing the wrong one can lead to problems that outweigh the benefits.
Some trees grow too fast and cause structural issues. Others cast dense shade that stunts nearby plants, while certain species take over the soil, making it tough for anything else to thrive.
Before you start digging, take a look at these 21 trees that are better left out of your yard.
Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin)
Mimosas are often introduced to yards and gardens as ornamental trees, but they spread rapidly through root sprouts and are considered invasive in many areas.
Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)
Hackberry trees attract pests like the hackberry psyllid, which creates unsightly leaf galls and can infest homes. The trees also attract woolly aphids that feed on the leaves, dripping sticky honeydew onto the ground below.
Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)
Black walnuts are magnificent trees that can be a great addition to a large yard or garden. Unfortunately, they produce a substance called juglone, which is toxic to a vast number of other plant species. To plant this tree, careful planning is required to find plants and trees that will happily grow near it.
Related: 15 Plants That Get Along Great with Black Walnuts
Mulberry (Morus spp.)
Mulberry trees grow rapidly, quickly crowding out the surrounding flora in your yard. They also produce an abundance of messy fruits that stain driveways and cars. Some types of mulberry are classed as invasive in certain states, and attempts are being made to eradicate them.
Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum)
Silver maples, also known as sugar maples, are fast-growing trees with aggressive root systems that can damage sidewalks, foundations, and septic systems. Additionally, their wood is brittle and prone to breaking during storms, posing a risk to property.
Related: How to Tap a Maple Tree for Syrup
Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana)
Bradford pear trees are notorious for their unpleasant-smelling fruits – not what you want in your lovely garden or yard! They also have a weak branch structure that splits and breaks during storms.
Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
Despite the celestial name, the Tree of Heaven should be avoided in your backyard! It is highly invasive, producing numerous seeds that spread rapidly, and is difficult to remove once established.
Siberian Elm (Ulmus pumila)
Siberian elm trees are highly invasive, growing quickly and outcompeting all other plants in your yard. Reaching heights of up to 60 feet, the weak wood breaks easily and can cause property damage.
Norway Maple (Acer platanoides)
Norway maple trees have dense canopies that block sunlight, inhibiting the growth of other plants beneath them. These invasive trees were often planted in urban areas but have since spread into woodlands, displacing local tree species.
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.)
Eucalyptus trees grow incredibly quickly, up to 6-8 feet per year. They are tough to eradicate once established and their highly flammable leaves create a high fire risk.
Poplar (Populus spp.)
Poplar trees will grow up to 8 feet per year, quickly reaching heights of 50-100 feet. Their aggressive root systems can cause significant damage to sidewalks, driveways, and plumbing systems.
Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)
Black locust trees are highly invasive, spreading through root suckers and seeds. Once established they are difficult to remove due to their dense, thorny growth. The bark to humans.
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
If you are planning on growing a ginkgo tree, make sure to plant a male cultivar. Female ginkgo trees produce foul-smelling fruits that create a horrible mess in your yard. Bear in mind that even male ginkgo trees can reach up to 80 feet tall, so this tree needs plenty of room.
Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
Sweetgum trees produce an abundance of small spiky seed pods, known as “gumballs,” which litter the ground and can be a nuisance to clean up. The trees also have extensive root systems that can cause damage to sidewalks and driveways.
Boxelder (Acer negundo)
Boxelder trees are a fast-growing maple that attracts a huge number of boxelder bugs – a harmless insect that can be a nuisance when it invades homes in large numbers. Boxelders are considered invasive in many states.
Cottonwood (Populus deltoides)
There is no doubt that a stand of cottonwoods is a beautiful sight, but this is not a great tree to grow in your yard. They grow rapidly, reaching heights of 70-100 feet, and have extensive root systems that can damage nearby structures. The cotton-like seeds can also create an almighty mess in your yard.
American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
American sycamores are large trees that are better suited to forests than yards. They reach heights of 75-100 feet and have extensive root systems that can damage infrastructure. Their large leaves and peeling bark can create an unsightly mess in your yard.
Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia)
It is now illegal to grow Russian olive trees in many states, as they are highly invasive and spread quickly from yards and gardens into local woodlands. Their thorny, dense growth makes them difficult to control and eradicate.
White Pine (Pinus strobus)
White pine trees grow rapidly and can reach heights of 50-80 feet. However, they are not a good option for yards as they create a significant amount of debris and are highly susceptible to pests and diseases.
Empress Tree (Paulownia tomentosa)
Empress trees can grow an astonishing 10-15 feet per year, quickly reaching heights of up to 60 feet. They are highly invasive, with seeds that can travel long distances and establish easily. Once established, empress trees are very difficult to eradicate.
Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)
Cherry laurels can quickly become invasive, spreading rapidly through seeds and root suckers. The berries and leaves are highly toxic if ingested, posing a risk to pets and children when grown in yards.
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Kate Chalmers
Kate is a passionate gardener who has a keen interest in all things related to homesteading and sustainability. She resides in Portugal with her husband and menagerie of animals and has over 15 years of experience in the UK veterinary industry. In 2020, Kate and her husband took on a dilapidated Portuguese house and abandoned olive grove, turning it into an abundant food forest and home for nature.
Life on the homestead is never the same from one day to the next, and Kate has mastered many skills that she is keen to pass on to anyone with an interest in becoming more self-sufficient. Kate believes that living a sustainable lifestyle is the key to happiness and fulfillment and that everyone can make simple changes that connect us back to nature and reduce our impact on the planet.
