5. Black, white, and green ash

Green, white, and black ash trees are known for their clean, rounded shape, quick growth, and buttery yellow to vibrant orange and red fall colors. They were heavily planted in the US during the 1960s and 1970s due to these attributes and were touted as ideal street streets.

Sadly, with the arrival of the emerald ash borer from Asia, thousands of dead ash trees have had to be taken down in most cities. Even with regular (and pretty expensive) treatment, ashes tend to succumb to these threatening insects eventually. In other words, they are some of the worst trees to plant in your yard, and it’s better to avoid the hassle and skip them.

What to plant instead: Until we have ash borer-resistant trees, the Kentucky coffee tree is a great alternative. A member of the legume family, this beautiful tree produces large compound leaves that turn a lovely bright shade of yellow in the fall.

By the way, if you’re looking for a gardening kit, this one is exactly what you need!