6 Flowering Trees You Should Never Plant in Your Yard, According to Arborists

Weeping Cherry Tree

High maintenance, short-lived, and overrated—that's how Michael Kenins, the founder and CEO of Vista Tree Management, describes the weeping cherry tree. "They're stunning for about two weeks a year when in full bloom," he says. "The rest of the time they're underwhelming and are also magnets for pests, prone to fungal diseases, and need constant clean up."

Kenins suggests the Blackhaw viburnum instead, calling it a "hidden gem." "This small tree offers creamy white flowers in spring, attractive berries for birds in summer, and gorgeous fall color," he says. "It's drought-tolerant, disease-resistant, and requires minimal pruning. It's a fantastic pick if you're looking for something low-maintenance with multi-season interest—especially in urban areas."

Tulip Poplar Tree

Tulip poplars are beloved for their beautiful yellow blooms. However, they're fast-growing and can reach huge heights, according to Lisa Tadewaldt, the co-founder of Urban Forest Pro. "In addition, they're a favorite for aphids, a pest that won't necessarily hurt the tree, but will rain down sap on anything under the tree," she says. "Aphid treatment is generally harmful to honeybees, so it's not recommended." 

Tadewaldt recommends planting a magnolia Elizabeth instead, which she says has lovely yellow blossoms—but without the size and aphid problem.

Southern Magnolia Tree

The Southern magnolia is often seen on sprawling estates, but in a normal residential yard, it can turn into a total monster. "Constant leaf drop creates an endless cleanup cycle, and the large seed pods are a big problem," says Kenins. "The real dealbreaker, though, is aggressive rooting, which can wreak havoc on driveways and plumbing. It's just too much for most people to handle in an urban or suburban environment."

The fringe tree is a more delicate, manageable version of the Southern magnolia that's great for smaller spaces, looks nice year-round, and is pretty tolerant of urban conditions. "It's compact, easy to grow, and those fringe-like white flowers in spring are a conversation starter," adds Kenins. "It also doesn't have the leaf and pod mess or the massive root systems."

Bradford Pear Tree

People may love Bradford pears for their beautiful spring blooms, but they're a disaster to live with. "The flowers smell terrible—think rotting fish—and the weak branch structure means it easily breaks apart in storms," says Kenins. "Even if you get over the fish smell, your prized tree will need coddling forever. To top it off, these trees are invasive and spread like weeds, choking out native plants."

Serviceberry trees are a near-perfect replacement for Bradford pears, as they bloom beautifully in early spring and their fall color is stunning. They're also native, so they won't take over the ecosystem.

"They're part of the rose family, so they may attract pests, but most of the cultivars available in the market are resistant," says Kenins. "They're pretty adaptable to a wide range of climates and soils. They do have small, edible berries, but the volume is low and manageable." 

Crape Myrtle Trees

Crape myrtles look great in bloom and landscapers love them, but they can be real pest magnets. "Aphids love them, meaning honeydew on your patio, driveway, or car, as well as sooty mold and wasps—or lots of spraying at extra cost," says Kenins. "Litter is non-stop from flowers, bark, and seed pods. Worse, they're really easy to butcher with over-pruning, also known as 'Crape Murder,' leaving them looking awkward and sad."

An alternative is the Japanese lilac tree, which also has a refined, upright shape and showy flowers. It blooms later in spring, avoiding frost damage, and its fragrant white flowers are tidy and manageable. "It's pest-resistant, hardy, and thrives in urban settings without much fuss," says Kenins. "It's great for smaller yards or as a highlight in larger settings." 

Flowering Cherry Trees

Cherry tree blossoms may be some of the most iconic tree blossoms on earth—but homeowners should be aware many of the varieties will form aggressive tree roots that are known to lift sidewalks and driveways and cause problems with utility lines. "If you would like to plant a cherry tree on your property, you need a significant amount of space to plant far enough from utilities and hardscapes," Tadewaldt advises.

"I would recommend planting a Forest Pansy Redbud instead, as it gets lots of pink-purple blooms in spring but has a less aggressive root system that is less likely to invade your sewer pipes."