Not every tree belongs in your backyard, no matter how good it looks at the nursery. Some will leave you with endless yard work, cracked sidewalks, or a yard that smells downright awful. And once they’re in the ground, getting rid of them is a nightmare. Cutting them down costs a fortune, and some are so stubborn they keep sprouting back no matter what you do.
I’ve learned the hard way that not all trees are worth the trouble. If you want a yard that’s easy to maintain and not a constant battle, you’ll want to skip these trees and go for something better.
Sweet Gum
Sweet gum trees drop hundreds of hard, spiky seed pods, and they’re a pain to deal with. These “gumballs” roll everywhere, get stuck in the grass, and make raking a nightmare. Step on one barefoot, and you’ll feel it. Hard.
To make things worse, sweet gum trees send out shallow roots that push up through the lawn, crack sidewalks, and make mowing a hassle. They might have nice fall color, but unless you enjoy nonstop yard cleanup, skip this one.
Female Ginkgo
Ginkgo trees are tough and long-lived, but if you plant a female, get ready for trouble. In the fall, they drop little round fruits that look harmless but smell terrible. Some people say they stink like rotten eggs, others say worse. Either way, it’s not something you want near your front door.
The good news? Male ginkgo trees don’t have this problem. If you love the fan-shaped leaves and golden fall color, just make sure you’re getting the right one. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck with a tree that stinks up the whole block.
Bradford Pear
Bradford pears might look nice for a minute, but they’re one of the worst trees you can plant. They grow fast and reach up to 50 feet tall, but their branches are weak and constantly break. A good storm will send limbs crashing down, which means more yard cleanup (or worse, property damage).
On top of that, these trees are invasive, spreading like crazy in some areas. Some states have even banned them. And if that’s not enough, their blossoms smell awful—some people compare it to rotting fish.
Mulberry
Mulberry trees sound great in theory—who wouldn’t want fresh fruit in their yard? But in reality, they’re a mess. The berries drop everywhere, staining sidewalks, patios, and anything else they land on. And if that wasn’t enough, the birds that love the fruit also leave behind a not-so-lovely mess of their own.
Beyond that, mulberries send out aggressive roots that steal nutrients from nearby plants. If you want your garden or lawn to thrive, this tree is not your friend.
Red Oak
Red oaks are undeniably beautiful, but they’ll keep you busy all year. In the fall, they drop tons of leaves that don’t break down easily. Then there are the acorns—if you don’t rake them up, they’ll turn your yard into a squirrel buffet. And in spring? They shed catkins, which are stringy, pollen-filled clusters that get everywhere.
If you don’t mind constant cleanup, you might get away with planting one. But if you want a lower-maintenance yard, skip the red oak.
Cottonwood
Cottonwoods grow fast, but that’s about the only good thing they have going for them. Their wood is weak, meaning branches break easily, especially in storms. If you don’t want to be picking up fallen limbs all the time, steer clear.
And then there’s the fluff. In late spring or early summer, they release clouds of cotton-like seeds that stick to everything—your yard, your car, even your clothes. It’s an allergy nightmare and a cleanup hassle you don’t want.
Callery Pear
Callery pear trees might look nice for a few weeks in spring, but don’t let those white flowers fool you. These trees are a nightmare waiting to happen. Their branches are weak and snap under the first strong wind, leaving you with a mess to clean up. If you live somewhere with snow or ice, forget it—this tree won’t last.
And if that wasn’t bad enough, Callery pears spread like crazy. The Bradford pear, one of the worst offenders, is invasive in a bunch of states. Once they take root, they’re nearly impossible to get rid of.
Tree of Heaven
Tree of Heaven might have an impressive name, but it’s anything but heavenly. This thing grows fast, drops seeds everywhere, and doesn’t care where it pops up. Worse, it releases chemicals that kill other plants, so good luck keeping anything else alive nearby.
If you plant one of these, you’ll be stuck pulling up new sprouts for years. It spreads like crazy and can even damage sidewalks and foundations. It’s the last thing you want in your backyard.
Weeping Willow
Weeping willows look peaceful by the water, but they don’t belong anywhere near your house. Their roots are relentless, spreading out in search of water. If there’s a pipe, septic system, or even a foundation crack nearby, those roots will find a way in—and it won’t be cheap to fix.
They’re also a mess. Their branches break easily, and they drop a ton of leaves and twigs. Unless you want constant yard work and plumbing problems, skip this tree.
Staghorn Sumac
Staghorn sumac might look pretty in the fall, but don’t let that fool you. This tree doesn’t stay put—it sends up suckers everywhere, and before you know it, your yard is covered in them. Unless you want to spend your weekends yanking up sprouts, it’s best to leave this one alone.
Another issue? It’s related to poison ivy. Not everyone reacts to it, but if you’re one of the unlucky ones, just brushing up against it could leave you with an itchy rash.
*This article was created with the assistance of AI.