3 Trees You Don't Want To Plant In Your Yard

Oftentimes, as soon as an individual closes on a housing purchase, they immediately begin to customize certain aspects of their new home. A popular place to start is the exterior, as most people enjoy displaying their personal preferences for color and design. And, due to the fact they can significantly boost a house’s curb appeal, many homeowners decide to plant attractive trees in their front and back yards.

In addition to their aesthetic appeal, strategically placed trees can provide shelter from the sun, which can effectively lower heating costs. However, some species can be detrimental to the health of a property, and should be avoided.

If you’ve just bought a house, you don’t want to inadvertently make a mistake that could cost you your investment, do you? So, if you’re looking to add an attractive tree – or three – to your new yard, you may want to try and avoid planting the following three species.

Silver maple

Although its ample shade and fast rate of growth might seem like positive attributes, these two traits of silver maples make the wood brittle, and susceptible to breaking in high winds and extreme storms. If the tree is too close to your house, it could result in some serious damage, but if it’s near a property line, it might be a danger to your neighbors.

Typically found in the Northeast, silver maple’s shallow root system often protrudes into drain fields and sewage pipes, and has been known to cause sidewalks to buckle. It’s best to abstain from planting this tree in any kind of residential setting.

Bradford pear

A compact stature and charming spring blossoms made this species of tree a popular choice of homeowners in the early 1900s, butsoon proved to be a problem, according to HouseLogic. Originally imported to the U.S. from China, the tree was planted in many suburban areas around the country. However, it was discovered that the matured wood was prone to cracking and splitting.

Aside from its sketchy structural integrity, the tree’s beautiful blossoms actually don’t smell that great. Planting a Bradford pear tree in close proximity to your house is a bad idea.

Russian olive

Considered to be an invasive species by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, this deciduous tree tends to crowd out native plants, according to Zillow. Its thorny canopy is often infested by arthropods, and as a result, the ground below is typically stained by a brown substance. If this species is planted anywhere near a driveway, it can damage the concrete below, as well as any cars parked on it.

Even though it may look pretty at first, planting this tree in your yard would be a mistake. Its long lifespan will force you to either have it removed, or endure years of it.

Interested in purchasing a home? Call one of our knowledgeable housing professionals at Poli Mortgage Group for additional information today. In our 12 years of service we have written more than $11 billion in home loans, and given out countless pieces of advice. If you’re hoping to gain some additional insight into the intricacies of owning a home, call us today at 866-353-7654.