2. Weeping willow

Weeping willows are lovely trees when planted in an open landscape next to a small lake or a pond. Their bright fall color and swaying branches look beautiful in the right place. However, outside of a spacious area, they quickly become overcrowded. In a yard, they are actually some of the worst trees to plant.

These large trees prefer moist to wet soils, which is awesome for planting near water bodies, but when planted near houses, they tend to invade and destroy sewer systems and water pipes, making them some of the worst trees to plant in a yard. Moreover, as weeping willows age, they become brittle and drop large branches.

But that’s not all; these trees can even crack poured pavement with their strong and aggressive roots, and they are also susceptible to pests and disease. Avoid the weeping willow at all costs.

What to plant instead: Swamp white oak is a great alternative to weeping willow. A native of the eastern half of the US, this oak has beautiful, large leaves and tolerates a wide variety of environments.