Trees You Should Never Plant: 6 Worst Trees For Your Yard

Picture this: You just planted a beautiful Bradford Pear tree in the front yard of your Calgary home. Then a storm hits, and those pretty branches snap like twigs. Now your yard is a mess.

Some trees look great at the garden center but cause major headaches later. The wrong tree can wreck your yard, damage your home, and cost you thousands in repairs.

Whether you’re designing your backyard or adding to the existing trees around your home, avoid these tree species.

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• Silver Maple has roots that crack sidewalks and brittle branches that break in storms
• Bradford Pear trees look pretty but break easily and spread like weeds
• Black Walnut releases chemicals that kill your other plants
• Siberian Elm has weak wood, roots that damage foundations, and aggressive seed-spreading
• Tree of Heaven smells terrible and spreads everywhere
• Ash trees need expensive treatments to protect them from beetle attacks

Don't Plant Silver Maple Trees

Silver Maples grow fast, which sounds great, until branches start breaking off in every storm. The wood is super weak and brittle.

The roots are even worse. They stay shallow and spread out, pushing up sidewalks and patios. These aggressive roots can even crack your foundation or break into sewer lines.

Want to spend your weekends cleaning up broken branches and fixing cracked concrete? Plant a Silver Maple. Otherwise, pick something else.

Skip the Bradford Pear (Trust Us on This One)

Those pretty white flowers in spring aren't worth the trouble. Bradford Pear trees have terrible branch structures. They split and break in even mild storms.

They also spread everywhere. Birds eat the small fruits and drop seeds all over. Their spread is limited in densely-populated areas like City Centre Calgary. But they can get out of control in outer neighbourhoods and towns like Airdrie or Chestermere.

These trees are now considered invasive in many Canadian provinces and U.S. states.

Did we mention the smell? When they bloom, many people think they smell like rotting fish. Plus, they only live about 20–30 years before they fall apart. Save yourself the headache.

Black Walnut: Toxic to Other Plants

Black Walnut trees might look impressive, but they're garden bullies. Black Walnuts make a toxic substance called juglone that kills many other plants.

Try growing tomatoes, azaleas, or blueberries near a Black Walnut. They'll die. The tree basically poisons the soil around it.

The nuts create a huge mess, too. They stain driveways and need constant cleanup. And those thick branches? They break off in storms just like Silver Maples.

Tree of Heaven Is Actually Terrible

Despite its heavenly name, this tree is a nightmare. It grows extremely fast and takes over everywhere.

The roots spread aggressively and send up new sprouts all over your yard. If you cut it down, it will respond by sending up dozens more sprouts.

It smells awful, too. Crush a leaf, and you'll get a strong, unpleasant odour. Some people say it smells like rancid peanut butter.

This tree is so aggressive that it can completely remove native plants, destroying local ecosystems, such as those found in Calgary’s beloved parks.

Siberian Elm Creates Non-Stop Problems

Siberian Elms grow super fast and tower over everything else. They aren’t native to Alberta and don’t typically thrive here. Plus, there are other consequences.

The wood is weak, and branches break easily. After every storm, you'll be picking up pieces all over your yard.

They drop thousands of seeds that sprout EVERYWHERE. Your lawn, garden, gutters—nothing is safe. The roots are just as aggressive and can damage foundations, pipes, and sidewalks.

Ash Trees Need Constant Protection

Ash trees used to be popular choices for yards. Not anymore. The emerald ash borer beetle has changed everything.

These destructive insects kill almost every ash tree they find. You'll need special insecticide treatments every 2–3 years to keep your tree alive. Forever.

Most people end up paying thousands to remove dead ash trees. Why plant something that needs constant protection or will likely die?

Plant These Better Choices Instead

Instead of fighting with problem trees, plant these easier options:

• Red Maple (not Silver) for fall colour without the breakage
• Serviceberry for white spring flowers (instead of Bradford Pear)
• Oak trees for long life and strength
• Redbud for spring color without aggressive spreading
• Ginkgo for unique leaves and tough structure

Choose Trees That Help, Not Hurt in Calgary

The abundance of trees is a great part of living in Alberta. The right tree adds beauty and value to your home. The wrong one creates years of expensive problems.

Before planting, talk to a local nursery about which trees work best in your area. Consider the mature size, root system, and maintenance needs.

A little research now saves you from BIG headaches later. Your future self will thank you!