Uprooted Arboreal Nightmares Threatening Your Green Space
Article Title: Experts Warn Against Planting Certain Trees Due to Potential Property Damage
In a bid to maintain the health and safety of homes, gardening professionals and arboricultural experts are urging homeowners to exercise caution when choosing trees for their backyards. Certain species, such as oak, maple, and magnolia, are commonly advised against due to their damaging effects on property. However, there are other trees that homeowners should avoid, as they pose significant risks to a home's foundation, plumbing, and landscaping.
The Problematic Five
- Staghorn Sumac: This tree is notorious for its vigorous suckering habit, which leads to dense thickets and outcompetes native plants. Its aggressive growth can make it difficult to control in gardens.
- Cherry Laurel: Although details about its invasive properties were not specified in the search data, this tree is often avoided due to its invasive root system and potential to dominate garden spaces.
- Black Walnut: This tree is usually shunned due to the toxic chemical juglone it produces, which inhibits the growth of other plants nearby. Its extensive root system can also be problematic.
- Weeping Willow: Known for its aggressive, spreading roots, the Weeping Willow seeks out water aggressively, often invading and damaging underground pipes, foundations, and drainage systems. The tree’s roots can destabilize nearby structures.
- English Oak: The roots of this tree are extensive and shallow, capable of reaching far beyond the canopy. Research suggests that these roots aggressively search for water, exploiting cracks in foundations or plumbing. They draw large amounts of water, which can cause soil drying and movement, leading to foundation cracks and settlement issues.
Additional Concerns
Roots can cause a variety of issues, including foundation damage, uneven or cracked sidewalks and driveways, blockages or bursts in plumbing and sewer lines, and landscape disruption due to competition for water and nutrients.
Tree-mendous Caution
Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO of Cabana, a pool company in San Diego, California, warns against oak trees due to their destructive nature. The Bradford Pear tree, native to China or Vietnam, is also frequently discouraged by gardening experts due to its invasive smell and easily dispersed seeds. U.S. cities have even begged homeowners to remove Bradford Pear trees due to their invasive smell.
In conclusion, homeowners should be mindful of the potential risks associated with certain tree species before planting them in their backyards. By choosing trees that are suitable for their space, homeowners can enjoy the beauty of trees without putting their property at risk.
Sources:
- Gardening Know How
- Tree Care Industry Association
- Cornell University Extension
- YAY Images
- Nashville Tree Conservation Corps
- Southern Living
- LawnStarter
- Cabana
- Homeowners may find it prudent to reconsider planting the Staghorn Sumac in their gardens due to its vigorous suckering habit, which can lead to dense thickets that outcompete other plants.
- In addition to the Oak and Maple trees often avoided for their damaging effects on property, the Black Walnut is another tree to be wary of, as its toxic chemical juglone inhibits the growth of nearby plants and its extensive root system poses potential problems.
- The Weeping Willow's aggressive, spreading roots are notorious for invading and damaging underground pipes, foundations, and drainage systems, as well as destabilizing nearby structures.
- English Oak trees are problematic due to their extensive, shallow roots that aggressively search for water, potentially causing foundation cracks, settlement issues, and soil drying by exploiting cracks in foundations or plumbing.
- Beyond its damaging effects on property, the Bradford Pear tree is often discouraged by gardening experts for its invasive smell and easily dispersed seeds.
