3 Trees You Should Never Plant in Your Yard

Trees provide shade and beauty to front and back yards. In yards where no trees are growing, many homeowners will plant a tree hoping that someday it will grow to be big and strong and make their yard more attractive or boost their front yard's curb appeal. Not all trees are created equal, however. Some trees are prone to disease and branch breakage. Knowing which trees are the most hazardous can help homeowners decide which trees are right for them.

Silver Maple

With majestic branches and leaves with silvery undersides, silver maple trees have elegance and beauty that can attract some homeowners. The problem with silver maple trees is their fast-growing nature, which leads to weak wood. Silver maples can drop branches and may even topple over in strong winds, leading to property damage, injuries, or worse.

There's another problem with silver maples that many homeowners are unaware of: they have fast-growing, water-hungry roots. In times of drought (and even during times of normal weather), silver maples can invade sewer lines and main lines in search of water. These trees are excellent for planting in a field, but should be kept away from homes, sewers, and septic tanks.

Cottonwood

Cottonwood trees can be attractive to homeowners because they're tall, healthy, full trees that provide ample shade and beauty. In fall, cottonwood trees turn a lovely shade of yellow or orange, making them ornamental.

Like silver maple, cottonwood trees have weak wood that can break easily. Cottonwood trees are also prone to disease, and when they have to be cut down, that can be costly.

One more problem with cottonwood trees is that every spring, they produce fluffy white seeds that look like cotton fibers, blowing in the wind. Cottonwood trees can fill a yard, a gutter, and the air with these allergy-exacerbating seeds.

Weeping Willow

Weeping willows are typically found near ponds because they like wet feet, a term that means they want to grow in wet (though well-drained) soil. A weeping willow that does not get enough water will grow invasive roots that can plug up sewers and main lines. Only plant weeping willows in wet areas, and preferably far from the nearest sewer or septic tank.

Selling Your Home? Work With a Professional

Are you planting a tree to make your home more desirable to buyers? If you will soon be selling your home, work with a real estate professional. Your real estate agent can help you stage your property and sell it for the highest price.