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Homes & Gardens
Homes & Gardens
Edward Bowring

5 Trees Professional Gardeners Would Never Plant in a Yard Again – and the Safer Alternatives to Grow Instead

Chelsea Flower Show 2026 garden path with lush planting.

Trees are among the most valuable plants we can grow, adding beauty, privacy, shade and wildlife interest to our yards. But some species can cause far more problems than they're worth.

Having worked as a professional gardener for many years, I've seen firsthand the damage that unsuitable trees can inflict. From invasive roots and relentless suckering to excessive self-seeding and toxic plant parts, certain trees can quickly become a headache in a home garden, and I now have a concise list of plants I’ll never grow again.

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