5 Trees Professional Gardeners Would Never Plant in a Yard Again – and the Safer Alternatives to Grow Instead

Trees are among the most valuable plants we can grow, adding beauty, privacy, shade and wildlife interest to our yards. But some species can cause far more problems than they're worth.

Having worked as a professional gardener for many years, I've seen firsthand the damage that unsuitable trees can inflict. From invasive roots and relentless suckering to excessive self-seeding and toxic plant parts, certain trees can quickly become a headache in a home garden, and I now have a concise list of plants I’ll never grow again.

Guided by Beth Chatto's famous mantra, 'right plant, right place', these experiences have led me to a shortlist of five trees I'd never plant in a yard again, and the better alternatives I'd grow instead.

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Cherry Laurel

Grown for its rapid growth and dense evergreen foliage, the cherry laurel, Prunus laurocerasus, is often valued for its ability to provide effective garden screening and privacy. Producing up to 3 feet of new growth each year, this large, fast-growing shrub or small tree can reach 30 feet tall and wide.

Considered an invasive in parts of the Pacific Northwest, and a hedge to avoid due to its potential to shade over and displace other plants.

With memories of arduously hand-pruning great lengths of laurel hedging so as not to leave an untidy finish at a previous garden I managed, it is certainly a tree I would never plant again.

A much more manageable tree is the American holly, or Ilex opaca. This is the best deal I've ever seen on American holly, at Fast Growing Trees.

Suitable for growing down to USDA zone 5, this slow-growing evergreen tree generally reaches a final height of 30 feet and forms an attractive pyramidal shape.

Another option is the Densa Inkberry, from Plant Addicts, which is a slow-growing, dense evergreen and is very well suited as a hedge plant.

Black Walnut

Reaching a maximum height of around 100 feet, the black walnut tree, Juglans nigra, is a prized tree, not only for its stature and fruits, but also for its hardwood. Another North American native, a mature Juglans nigra can produce an impressive black walnut harvest in late September or October.

Undoubtedly beautiful, this vigorous and large tree is not without its problems. Firstly, to keep it productive and maintain its shape, regular walnut tree pruning is required. Bleeding sap when cut, the black walnut tree is best pruned in late winter, when the tree is dormant.

Secondly, and more unusually, the black walnut tree produces a chemical called juglone, which is toxic to many plants. Existing in the tree's foliage, fruits and roots, juglone can extend beyond the tree’s canopy and inhibit growth in other plants that are sensitive to it.

Having inherited a black walnut tree growing next to a kitchen garden, I admired it greatly for being a beautiful specimen, but found planting around it very limiting due to the toxic juglone it emitted.

With members of the nightshade family and fruits, especially apple trees, being some of the most susceptible to juglone, what could be grown in the vegetable garden was hugely restricted.

A flowering cherry tree with its spring blossom and fall foliage color could be a great alternative. This Kwanzan flowering cherry available at Nature Hills is currently 20% off and a beautiful specimen.

Suited to USDA zones 5-8 and reaching a maximum of 8 to 50 feet tall, there is a space to grow one in even the smallest of gardens.

You can also find the more compact Snow Fountains® Weeping Cherry Tree at Fast Growing Trees, which would be perfect for a front yard or any small backyard.

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Staghorn sumac

A large shrub or small tree, staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) is valued for its fern-like foliage and spectacular fall color. Growing up to 25 feet tall, this North American native thrives in open woodlands and along roadsides, where it spreads readily to form colonies.

Its crimson autumn display, wildlife value and ability to stabilize slopes have made it a popular choice for naturalistic and wildlife-friendly gardens.

However, its vigorous suckering habit can quickly become problematic. New shoots often emerge several feet from the parent plant, creating dense thickets that are difficult to control.

Considered invasive in some states, unmanaged staghorn sumac can outcompete and shade out native plants as it expands. Having managed a large private garden with an established specimen, I can attest to just how freely it suckers and how quickly new growth can appear well beyond its original planting site.

Instead, an often understated tree is the Serviceberry or Amelanchier. The Autumn Brilliance serviceberry is available at Plant Addicts.

Grown for its spring blossom and vibrant fall display, depending on the species, they can grow up to 30 feet tall and are generally suitable for USDA hardiness zones 4-9.

Another beautiful option for winter interest is the Berry Heavy® Gold Winterberry from Nature Hills. It is a native American deciduous holly and produces the largest golden-yellow berries of any winterberry holly for spectacular color.

Weeping Willow

A fast-growing tree and a full and dense canopy make the weeping willow a great shade tree for sitting under and a great choice for screening an unwanted view.

A deciduous tree, with a maximum height and spread of around 50 feet, means that the weeping willow is generally unsuitable for a domestic backyard. That, combined with its rapid growth and extensive moisture-seeking root system, which can damage underground drain and sewer pipes, makes it a tree to avoid planting close to a house.

A weeping willow growing alongside a riverbank in one of the gardens I used to work at was one of our favorite spots for a break or rest out of the midday sun. However, considering the size it matured into and the maintenance it needed to clear its fallen leaves, branches and twigs, I would not be in a hurry to plant one.

As an alternative, the native Eastern redbud, Cercis canadensis, is illuminated by its pink blooms in early spring and before its green heart-shaped foliage emerges. You can find spectacular Eastern redbud tree at Fast Growing Trees.

Suitable for growing in zones 4-9, it grows to a maximum height of 30 feet, but can be easily managed.

More Beautiful Tree Alternatives

English Oak

Growing up to 130 feet tall and 80 feet wide, English oak (Quercus robur) is a magnificent tree. Supporting hundreds of wildlife species, absorbing significant amounts of carbon dioxide and casting generous shade, it is one of the most valuable native trees you can grow.

However, grown from a mere acorn, English oaks eventually require far more space than most residential yards can provide. For this reason alone, they are trees that should never be planted in a small yard..

Their extensive root systems can also create problems over time, with the potential to disrupt sidewalks, driveways and even building foundations if planted too close. In addition, mature oaks require ongoing maintenance, including periodic pruning to remove damaged branches and promote tree health, while fallen leaves, acorns and twigs can create a considerable cleanup job each fall.

There is no doubt that English oaks are exceptional trees when given the space they need to thrive. In the right setting, they can be a spectacular long-term investment, but they are often too large and demanding for the average yard.

For a front or backyard, a kousa dogwood, Cornus kousa, with its spring flowers, fall color and height up to 30 feet tall, makes for a wiser choice.

Suitable for growing in zones 5 to 9, this Kousa Dogwood Tree is available from Plant Addicts.

Choosing and planting a tree is a big decision that can benefit generations to come. But choosing the wrong tree might, as you have just read, have unfortunate consequences down the line. For some other more suitable small tree choices, here are the best trees to plant close to a house.

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