As we talk about these trees in these two articles remember that all trees serve a purpose for something in nature and all have good attributes. But there are some which are not the best for your yard and don’t need to be close to your house. This is just advice if you have the opportunity to choose trees to plant, you will have a bit more knowledge and an educated decision is always a better decision.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Black walnut trees are beautiful and huge so they can provide great shade for you but don’t plant them anywhere close to where you want to grow azaleas, peonies and several other plants and vegetables. The roots of the tree release a chemical which is toxic to a number of plants used in landscaping.
The Birch trees have many wonderful specimens which are used in landscape settings. They have beautiful bark and growth habit, however they do love moisture so don’t put them in a hot dry setting, give them a little shade. But they are susceptible to several pests specific to the Birch family and their roots are very shallow which can be damaged by anything soil disturbance nearby.
Lombardy Poplars are another of the fast growing varieties which make it a tree to avoid. It has a columnar shape and can reach 100 feet in 20-30 years but at that point it starts to decline. The branching structure is also problematic because the branches are weak and can break, littering your yard. The roots can be invasive, getting into sewer lines and breaking up pavement.
Sycamore is another tree which has a magnificent size and shape, but it is very susceptible to many diseases and pests causing the tree to decline and die. It also puts off a lot of twigs, leaves and fruiting balls which makes it a bit of a mess for a neat landscape.
Those of us at Nature’s Friends Landscaping are available to help you make wise decisions regarding your trees, we can deliver them and plant them properly. Again, if you already have these trees there’s no reason to cut them down, just be aware of their pros and cons. If you are planting for your landscape though, there are many other trees which will be a better choice.
