Throw in invasive species, andyour choice of treecould create problems for you and the local ecosystem.
Here are 9 trees to avoid, and what to plant instead.
Their pretty white flowers are spectacular, but many homeowners have come to regret planting them.
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What to Plant Instead
Nativeserviceberries(Amelanchierspp.)
are beautiful small trees or shrubs that offer all-season interest.
Small, edible berries form in summer, and the green foliage turns fiery red andorange colors in fall.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
In winter, the plant displays stunning silver bark.
Theyre alsofast-growing evergreen trees, giving them a leg up on many other spruces.
Denny Schrock
Skip the Norway spruce, and choose the similar-in-appearance Engelmann spruce(Picea engelmannii).
Credit: Denny Schrock
They come in the typical green leaf forms and variegated and purple varieties.
If youre looking for a maple tree, go with ared maple(Acer rubrum).
Even with regular (and somewhat expensive) treatment, ashes tend to succumb to these destructive insects eventually.
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Their swaying branches and bright fall color look amazing in the right location.
However, outside of a spacious location, they quickly become overcrowded.
Plus, as they age, weeping willows become brittle and drop large branches.
Credit:Kritsada Panichgul
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Swamp white oak(Quercus bicolor)is an excellent alternative to weeping willow.
It prefers to grow in lowlands and otherwise wet areas in much the same way as weeping willows.
Topping out at around 80 feet tall, these trees live for hundreds of years and are exceedingly durable.
Credit: Adam Albright
Unfortunately, paper birch trees(Betula papyrifera)have drawbacks that make them poor choices for themodern landscape.
River birches grow in warmer climates and are less susceptible to bronze birch borers.
Whats more, because of their extensive root system, theyre capable of damaging nearby concrete and foundations.
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Enter the white basswood(Tilia americana), also known as American linden.
As the scientific name suggests, white basswood is a North American native.
Its roots are also considered invasive in some parts of the country.
Credit: Denny Schrock
They have a stately columnar shape when young that looks fantastic in a row along a driveway or fence.
Even on a large property, it can be a nuisance, due to its tendency to drop branches.
It also has weak wood that can be susceptible to wood-boring pests.
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Credit: Courtesy of Van den Berk Nurseries
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