Not all plants embody life and resurrection. Some trees – stunted saplings and dense clusters of violent thorns – are downright unattractive. Others choose to strangle and usurp like the evil flowers they are; still, others fall prey to diseases brought about by noxious pests. 

It might seem like great irony that certain tree species carry nothing but death and destruction, but the truth is that some have over-extended their stay in their arboreal environments. These trees, in a way, are ‘seedier’ than their counterparts, spreading rapidly and aggressively, often outcompeting native flora and disrupting entire ecosystems. Avoid planting those trees and save yourself both the money and frustration. 

 

1. Honey Locust       

When tipped with vulgar, barbed thorns, the honey locust appears the archetype of the malevolent tree infesting many doomed forests of legend. The thorns, which evolved to protect itself from giant sloths and other extinct herbivores, will result in festering wounds that are slow to heal for those unlucky enough to have come into contact. The honey locust is also considered invasive, and though there are ornamental, thornless varieties, their rapid spread makes them unwelcome intruders in the landscape. 

2. Arborvitae 

Evergreens aren’t so evergreen when they shrivel and wilt, with once green rows of trees becoming a brown line of death. At risk from damaging pests like bagworms and hardiness issues, the arborvitae or thuja tree ranks as one of the most hideous options for screen privacy. And if you replace one with another tree, the overall scenery becomes mismatched and scraggly. 

3. Callery Pear  

Despite being in the rose family, the Callery pear is far removed from the fair beauty of its relatives. The most common cultivar, the Bradford pear, is an unsavory specimen with a cloying, rotting scent and invasive nature. Its branches are also susceptible to breakage, collapsing during heavy storms. Many gardeners rue the day they encounter one in their yards or on their walks – this is one plant to avoid at all costs.  

4. Ginkgo Trees  

When it comes to ginkgo trees, the female of the species is discriminated against – the female gingko tree has the misfortune of producing extremely rank fruit that reeks of vomit. With an evolutionary lineage dating back to prehistoric times, the seeds were theorized to be dispersed by carrion-eating dinosaurs. Ginko trees reach maturity only after 20 – 30 years, and when they shed their fruit in the fall, they can create a smelly mess. To ensure a stink-free yard, avoid the female plants and look for ‘males-only’ cultivars such as ‘Autumn Gold’ or ‘Lakeview.’ 

5. Weeping Willow     

One tree on the list that might surprise you is the weeping willow. It’s a beautiful tree, but it’s just too much for the average home landscape – its aggressive root system will seek out and strangle septic fields and sewer systems. This is why it should be planted at least 50 feet from any underwater, gas, or sewage lines. Admire it from afar on a bank of running water, but don’t try to cram the weeping willow in your yard. 

6. Ash Tree            

If you’re choosing to plant ash trees on your property, you’re already fighting a losing war. The emerald ash borer (EAB), an invasive insect responsible for decimating millions of ash trees, is too abundant to be eradicated. They will swarm ash trees, keeping them sickly alive for a couple of years before all the nutrients are siphoned away. Many gardeners conclude that the hassle of treating and inoculating ash trees against EAB isn't worth the trouble, and opt to go with trees that aren’t in grave danger. 

7. Russian Olive         

 Russian olive is a thuggish tree that grows densely, spreading at enormous rates to choke out native plants like willows and cottonwoods. Even if you don’t actively introduce it to your garden, Russian olive can accidentally wound its way to your property, inadvertently spread by neighbors mowing their lawns or remodeling their yards. Russian olive is sometimes confused with autumn olive, another invasive species. The leaves are a silvery green, and it bears small yellow flowers that eventually ripen to small berries.  

8. Lombardy Poplar     

Known for their columnar shapes and fast-growing habits, Lombardy poplars present a striking sight when seen jutting from a desolate landscape on a lone, winding road. However, a range of canker diseases have shortened the lifespan of Lombardy poplars to an average of only fifteen years. Primarily caused by fungi that infiltrate through injuries, the contagion spreads in elliptical patterns, weakening the infected branches. Native poplars have a better chance of success, though they are still susceptible. 

9. Silver Maple     

The silver maple is a weak-wooded tree that doesn’t have much to show for it. While other varieties stun in shades of bronze, crimson, and orange, it falters in an underwhelming yellow. It spreads through a shallow root system that can infiltrate and break sewer lines if grown too close. It’s also vulnerable to wind and storm breakage, which is why it’s ideally suited for sprawling areas with plenty of acreage. 

10. Tallow Tree (Popcorn Tree)    

The tallow tree may have a nice shape and brilliant fall color, but its other attributes are far less pleasant. Notoriously difficult to eradicate once established, tallow trees can be hacked to the stump, only to rebound with a vengeance several years later (it has been documented to grow 7 – 15 ft in the span of a single year). The seemingly innocuous name of popcorn tree comes from its seeds, said to resemble popcorn when burst from their kernel-like capsules, but don’t be fooled by its playful nature. A dangerous invader, it can produce up to 10,000 seeds and secrete allelopathic chemicals that kill off rival plants.