21 Trees You Should Never Plant Near Your House

If you have a house with a yard, it’s tempting to plant beautiful trees around your property, but there are some species you should never plant near your home.

There’s nothing like having shade in the summer. Or having bountiful fruit or nut harvests near your home. Trees benefit your garden and your home environment. They provide protection to animals like birds and squirrels. Flowering species bring beneficial pollinators, like hummingbirds and bees, to your home. Plus, planting trees is one of the best things you can do to beautify your landscape.

Bradford Pear

	botanical name Pyrus calleryana
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 30-50’
	hardiness zones 5-9

There are several reasons not to plant Bradford pear trees near your home. First, they stink! These bloomers can smell like a dive bar bathroom, especially after their flowers start to die. If you plant them near your home, be prepared for some unpleasant scents when the wind blows. 

Besides their smell, they’re invasive and can harm natural ecosystems in your area. They’ll outgrow and out-compete most native species. Small animals will carry their small seeds far away from your home. The seeds germinate easily and will grow in almost any environment. 

Another reason not to plant them is their brittleness. Even during the weakest storms, you’ll see their branches scattered throughout your yard. In some states, it’s illegal to buy, sell, or grow these destructive and invasive trees. 

White Ash

	botanical name Fraxinus americana
	sun requirements Full sun to full shade
	height 50-120’
	hardiness zones 3-9

White ashes are gorgeous and tall species that look amazing when growing in forests or woodlands. They grow up to 120 feet tall and provide some of the best shade from their wide branches and leaves. 

However, they’re incredibly susceptible to the deadly emerald ash borer. Since arriving in the U.S. in 2002, it’s become a nuisance and a real threat to these common hardwoods. If these large trees become infested, it could lead to dead branches or dead trees. To remove them from near your home, you’re looking at a costly and difficult project.

Another reason for not planting these tree species near your house is their large roots. As they grow, they’ll shoot sideways, often damaging sidewalks and structures. If the trees are too close to your house, they may damage your home’s structure.

Arborvitae

	botanical name Thuja occidentalis
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 40-60’
	hardiness zones 3-7

Arborvitae are beautiful hedge plants that grow incredibly fast. They’ll reach heights of up to 60 feet with the right growing conditions. They’re native to North America and will thrive in various climates and soils. 

As beautiful and beneficial as they are, they can be quite destructive when planted next to a building or structure. They can grow up to 3 feet every year. To keep their upright shape, you’ll have to prune them heavily throughout their growing season, but conifers don’t do well with excessive pruning. Soon, they can outgrow your home and be hard to manage once they brush against it.

Grow these beautiful hedges far away from your house. They thrive along property borders and the edges of landscapes. If you’re willing to maintain them, they’ll make fantastic trees. Just don’t grow them too close to your home.

Oak Trees

	botanical name Quercus spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 40-80’
	hardiness zones 3-10

There are around 500 species of oaks on the planet, many of them native to North America. Some, such as the dwarf chestnut oak, grow more compact. However, many other species grow to over 80 feet and higher. These massive trees grow fast, tall, and extremely wide. 

Oaks are wonderful for growing in your landscape garden, far away from your home. They’ll be fine if you plant them over 20 feet from your home. Inside that range, their large roots will grow radially, and their large branches and trunks could cause structural problems. 

Plant oak trees in full sun or partial shade, away from sun-loving plants and garden beds. Keep them far away from power lines and low-hanging wires. They’ll provide shelter for local wildlife and protect your home from wind with their massive size. 

Poplars

	botanical name Populus spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 50-150’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Poplar trees grow up to 150 feet or higher, so it’s usually recommended to avoid planting them near your house. They’re fast growers and can take over a huge space within a decade. If you plant them near your house, their roots will become a major issue. They’ll find water in tight spaces and completely ignore any structure in their path.

What makes them even worse near your home is their brittle nature. They’ll drop branches and limbs frequently, especially during wind events. There’s nothing scarier than having a massive tree branch fall on your house or vehicle. 

As big, brittle, and potentially dangerous as they are, they’re wonderful hedges and property markers. Grow them far away from your home, and they’ll make fantastic border trees. Birds and other wildlife will thank you. And you’ll have a continuous supply of firewood and tinder from their falling branches. 

Weeping Willows

	botanical name Salix babylonica
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 30-50’
	hardiness zones 6-8

Weeping willows are some of the most majestic-looking deciduous trees you can grow. They grow wide and full, with big, bushy foliage that droops in beautiful patterns. They attract helpful wildlife and provide plenty of shade for pathways and shade-loving plants. 

As beautiful as they are, they’re not ideal growing too close to your home. First, their massive root systems can cause structural problems. They need plenty of groundwater to grow to full size and will outcompete other ornamental trees nearby. They also have a relatively short lifespan, living only 50 to 75 years. 

Plant your weeping willow trees far from your house. Give them plenty of space to grow wide. They’ll look amazing near roads or entranceways. They attract beneficial pollinators and provide homes for birds and other small animals. 

Eucalyptus

	botanical name Eucalyptus spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height Up to 300 feet
	hardiness zones 7-11

Eucalyptus, or sweet gum trees, are native to Australia and Southeast Asia. They’re some of the tallest trees on the planet. Some individuals reach heights of over 300 feet. They thrive in subtropical and Mediterranean climates worldwide. 

In the US, they grow in abundance in California, Texas, and the Southeastern US. They give off a delicious, menthol aroma and freshen the air around them. However, they’re best planted far away from your home or driveway. 

Because they grow so massive, they’ll overtake your home and damage its foundations and structure with their roots over time. They are invasive in coastal regions of North America and are highly flammable. They shed branches frequently and cause a lot of mess, especially when they’re full-grown. If you want to grow Eucalyptus near your home, stick to dwarf varieties such as ‘Baby Blue’. If you live in an area where wildfires are present, avoid planting one at all.

White Mulberry

	botanical name Morus alba
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 30-60’
	hardiness zones 4-8

White mulberries produce tons of delicious fruit and colorful spring blooms. However, they’re invasive and can cause major issues for your local ecosystem. 

Small animals consume their berries and scatter their seeds far and wide. Before long, you’ll have white mulberry trees popping up where you don’t want them. 

Instead of growing these invasive species near your home, try red mulberries instead. Red mulberries are native to the US and provide just as much edible fruit. 

Silver Maple

	botanical name Acer saccharinum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 50-80’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Silver maples are beautiful trees that grow up to 80 feet high. In the fall, they produce beautiful foliage that turns yellow to gold. They’re native to the US and make great additions to a landscape of native plants. 

As beautiful as they are, they grow incredibly fast. Their large roots can damage pavements and home structures. Before you know it, your silver maples will brush up against walls and create many spatial problems. On top of all this, they can succumb to diseases that cause dead branches to fall. 

Plant your silver maple trees far from your home for fast-growing shade and hedging. Keep them away from driveways and monitor for diseases. 

Ginkgo Biloba

	botanical name Ginkgo biloba
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 50-80’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Ginkgo biloba trees may have plenty of benefits, but their fruits are incredibly smelly. As dioecious species, some trees are male while others are female. Female trees produce ginkgo nuts, which smell absolutely terrible. If you grow them near your house, you’ll be in for an unpleasant experience. 

If you want to grow them near your home, plant male trees instead. They produce stunning yellow foliage in the fall. They attract beneficial animals and insects and look gorgeous. You can also use their leaves to make natural teas. 

If you’re like me and love the flavor and nutritional benefits of ginkgo nuts, plant female trees far away from your home. The fruits may smell bad, but they’re some of the healthiest foods you can grow. Keep them far away from your home and your neighbors’ and enjoy their benefits. 

Black Walnut

	botanical name Juglans nigra
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 50-90’
	hardiness zones 4-9

Black walnut trees may be beneficial for humans, but for other plants, they’re deadly. These large deciduous trees produce a compound called juglone. When the compound leaches into the soil, it prevents other plant species from germinating. If you try growing a healthy garden around your black walnut trees, you’ll be let down unless you’re growing juglone-tolerant plants. 

If you want to grow black walnuts, pick a location far away from other trees and plants. Keep them away from your home, or they can cause damage with their massive root system. 

Once planted far away from your home, enjoy harvesting their nuts. They have many uses, including edible oil, edible nuts, and producing natural clothing dye. 

Norway Maple

	botanical name Acer platanoides
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 40-50’
	hardiness zones 3-7

Norway maples are a beautiful European maple species. As decorative as they are, you’re better off not planting near your home. The main reason is that they’re listed as noxious weeds in many parts of the country. 

They grow fast, producing mountains of seed pods every summer. When the seeds fall, they germinate wherever they land. Within a few seasons, you’ll have Norway maples growing everywhere. They outcompete native plants and cause problems for local ecosystems. 

Try planting red maples and native maple species instead. Smaller varieties can be excellent near your home. Larger species do better planted over 20 feet away or on the periphery of your yard. 

Pecans

	botanical name Carya illinoinensis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 70-100’
	hardiness zones 5-9

Pecans are wonderful trees, but to get the most out of them, grow them far away from your home. They’ll reach heights of over 100 feet. Their large roots can damage buildings and concrete. 

For your trees to develop fruit, they’ll need to be pollinated by other pecan trees. That means you’ll have to plant more than one of these massive trees to get a crop of nuts. By the time you’re ready to harvest them, these gigantic trees will be taking up a lot of space. 

If you want to grow them, plant them far away from your home. Plant several trees near each other, spaced 20 feet or more apart. 

Paper Birch

	botanical name Betula papyrifera
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 65-70’
	hardiness zones 2-7

Paper birch trees are a beautiful species native to the cold climates of North America. If you grow them, plant them far away from your home. They drop large amounts of foliage, branches, and bark. 

In warmer regions, they’ll lose their shape and vigor. They don’t handle warm temperatures well and will appear sickly if they’re not growing in the right conditions. Plus, they can succumb quickly to pests such as dreaded bronze birch borers. 

If you want to grow paper birch trees, grow them far from your home. They prefer areas with cold temperatures and lots of moisture. 

Eastern Cottonwood

	botanical name Populus deltoides
	sun requirements Full sun
	height Up to 190’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Eastern cottonwood trees are native to the U.S. and are some of the tallest native deciduous hardwoods. They can reach heights of close to 190 feet. When they mature, they drop large branches, which can damage property and destroy structures. They’re also very dangerous if you’re under them. 

Wood boring insects can wreak havoc on these large trees, including emerald ash borers. If you have dead eastern cottonwood trees in your yard, it can be incredibly costly and risky to remove them. 

If you want to grow these gigantic native trees, plant them far away from your home. They look stunning with their big, beautiful foliage and autumn colors. 

Giant Sequoia 

	botanical name Sequoiadendron giganteum
	sun requirements Full sun
	height Up to 300’
	hardiness zones 6-8

Giant sequoias are the signature tree of California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range. Recently, gardeners across the US are trying out these massive conifers. 

If their growing conditions are right, they’ll shoot up incredibly fast and reach heights of 150 feet or larger within 50 to 60 years. If you plant them by your house, they’ll quickly damage sidewalks, structures, and baseboards with their roots. If left alone, they’ll grow through almost anything, even concrete. 

Plant these giants over 50 feet from your home. Give them plenty of space to mature without competing with other plants. Once they’re established, they’ll grow to impressive heights within your lifetime. 

Coast Redwood

	botanical name Sequoia sempervirens
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height Up to 300’+
	hardiness zones 7-9

Like their cousins, the giant sequoias, coast redwoods are some of the largest tree species on earth. They grow to heights over 300 feet tall. With the right growing conditions, they’ll grow several feet every year. 

If you plant these trees near your home, they’ll quickly outgrow their area. Eventually, they could damage your home. If they become diseased or grow too large, you could be looking at a massive bill to cut them down. 

These trees are also very picky about where they grow. They need consistent moisture in the form of fog. Temperatures can’t be too cold or too warm. Outside of California and southern Oregon, few places in the US can grow them successfully. 

Leyland Cypress

	botanical name x Hesperotropsis leylandii
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 40-70’
	hardiness zones 6-10

Leyland cypress trees are beautiful, with romantic foliage and pyramidal growth. However, it’s better to plant smaller cypress species for your hedging near your home. 

These trees grow fast, and before you know it, they’ll outgrow their area. They bend easily in the wind and can damage walls, windows, and roofs with their flailing branches. 

If you want to grow these ornamental trees, plant them far away from your home. Plant them in driveways or along the boundary of your property for tall natural fencing. 

Silk Acacia

	botanical name Albizia julibrissin
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 20-50’
	hardiness zones 6-10

Silk acacias look absolutely stunning, especially around buildings. As tempting as it is to plant them around your house, it’s better to avoid them altogether. These colorful flowering trees are invasive across the U.S. 

After flowering, these trees drop tons of seed pods that germinate in almost any environment. Before you know it, seedlings from your tree will spread to your neighbor’s house and beyond. They grow fast and reach heights of over 40 feet in a few years. They’ll create major problems for native species in your local ecosystem. 

Instead of planting silk acacias in your yard, try growing native species instead. Plants such as flowering dogwoods make better choices for decorative trees. 

Tree of Heaven

	botanical name Ailanthus altissima
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 60-90’
	hardiness zones 4-8

The tree of heaven is a fast-growing and invasive tree native to East Asia. These trees spread rapidly and can damage your home if left unattended. Their root systems can grow under structures and damage wooden frames and even concrete. 

If left alone, these trees will take over natural woodlands and urban areas. In many parts of the country, they’ve become an invasive species responsible for harming local ecosystems. 

What makes them even worse is their tendency to attract pests such as spotted lanternflies. These pests secrete sticky honeydew that attracts ants and other pests. Soon, infested plants can also develop infections of black sooty mold. 

Royal Paulownia

	botanical name Paulownia tomentosa
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 30-50’
	hardiness zones 5-9

Royal paulownias may look beautiful, but they’re some of the worst trees you can plant near your home. They grow aggressively and take over local ecosystems. If you plant them near your house, they’ll spread into surrounding yards quickly. 

These trees grow huge clusters of flowers and seeds that small animals and even high winds spread. You’ll notice these trees growing uncontrollably near wetlands and roadsides. Their roots can cause major damage to sidewalks and wooden structures, even your home foundation.