Terrible Trees: 4 Factors That Make Some Tree Species Candidates For Removal

Posted on: 26 October 2022

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Not all tree species are beneficial in an urban environment. In fact, some tree species can cause costly issues, especially once they mature. If you have a tree on your property and you are unfamiliar with the species, consider doing some research.

Some tree species can become so damaging to a property that removing them early is a wise choice. Here are some of the worst problems that undesirable trees cause, along with the trees that most often cause those problems.

1. Pest prevalence

Trees that are prone to pest infestation can attract pests to your property in large numbers. These pests may then invade your home. In addition, pests also weaken pest-prone trees and cause them to become weak and brittle. Some of the most pest-prone trees in US include:

  • Box elder trees, which attract box elder bugs.
  • White and green ash trees, which attract the emerald ash borer.
  • Mimosa and mulberry trees, which attract aphids and webworms.
  • White birch trees, which attract the bronze birch borer.

Removal isn't the only option for pest-prone trees. You can also hire a tree service to help you combat insect pests.

2. Disease prevalence

Diseases also weaken trees and make them more hazardous. Diseases can also spread to other trees via branches and root systems if left unchecked. Here are some of the most disease-prone trees:

  • Washington hawthorn, which is prone to cedar apple rust disease.
  • American elm, which is susceptible to Dutch elm disease.
  • Mimosa, which can suffer from severe wilt disease.

Once a disease infects a large portion of a tree, that tree will likely die and become a hazard.

3. Tree litter

Some tree species drop a lot of seeds, twigs and leaves, which may cover your lawn and block your gutter system. For instance, the princess tree drops millions of seeds each year. The tree of heaven is another prolific seed dropper, and it also produces toxic leaves.

4. Root invasiveness

Trees with invasive root systems can become a problem for sidewalks, paths, and foundations. This is because the fast growing root systems invade areas with water and cause damage to structures that may be in the way. Trees with invasive roots also steal water and nutrients from other plants in their vicinity.

Many of the trees in the maple tree family, such as the red maple, silver maple, Norway maple, and freeman maple have invasive root systems.

Do you have an undesirable tree growing on your property? Consider removing it soon, before it starts to cause problems for you and your property. And if you want to keep a tree despite its risk factors, consider hiring an arborist to help you manage your tree.   

For more information about tree removal, contact a local company.