10 Trees Not to Plant in Your Yard in Kansas City, MO

Choosing the perfect tree for your garden is essential. Because, see, your greenery is an investment in your property’s future, especially in places like Kansas City, MO, where scorching summers, ice storms, and heavy winds are abundant. You don’t want a tree species that constantly sheds debris, or worse, that falls on your house or business during a storm. Unfortunately, many homeowners and business owners select greenery that causes more headaches than it’s worth. So we’re here to make your life easier, before it’s too late. Read about the 10 trees not to plant in your yard in Kansas City, MO, and surrounding cities, to avoid a recipe for disaster.

Don’t let the name fool you. The Tree of Heaven is one of the worst trees to plant in Kansas City. It seems its only job is to turn your yard into a mess. This fast-growing deciduous greenery is actually an invasive species that has become a real pest in Missouri. It not only spawns hundreds of seedlings and irritates the skin of anyone who touches its sap, but male trees produce clusters of foul-smelling flowers. In short, instead of a stunning shade tree, you get one that spreads aggressively and stinks (quite literally). So if you spot a young Tree of Heaven on your property, call our team to remove it quickly (including the roots). Truly, this is not a “heavenly” tree you want in your yard.

The Bradford Pear was once the darling of suburban landscapes. But in Kansas City, it has fallen out of grace. It boasts pretty blossoms that have a sickeningly sweet, almost fishy smell, and once summer arrives, the problems really begin. This species has an infamously poor branch structure, making it prone to splitting. In our city, that means one day you’re dealing with foul flowers, and the next, a storm is literally tearing it apart. It’s a ticking time bomb. And to make matters worse, birds spread the small pear fruits, and now, thorny seedlings are taking over fields and roadsides, out-competing native plants. If you have one of these trees in your backyard, monitor it closely and consider replacing it with other plants before the twigs break.

We have to say it: it’s ironic that Cottonwood is the state tree of Kansas, because it’s absolutely one of the trees not to plant in your yard. Sure, they provide a lot of shade and are fast-growing, but they belong in wide-open plains. Not your house or company. Why? Because it grows to an enormous size (over 70 feet tall), but doesn’t have a deep root system to stay upright in heavy winds.

The bad news doesn’t end there, though. They are prone to disease. And a sick cottonwood is a huge liability (no one wants large trees falling on their car or home). They also suck up a lot of water, and their aggressive roots can crack sidewalks or sewer lines in search of moisture. So, for the residents who already have cottonwoods, we recommend keeping an eye on their health and considering our proactive removal if the tree shows signs of decay, pests, or instability.

Raise your hand if you remember the days when Silver Maples filled our Kansas City neighborhoods. Once upon a time, they were the go-to fast shade tree. Now? Not so much. Since Silver Maples have a soft, weak wood, they’re not at the top of the list of recommended species for your landscape. However, the idea of golden foliage tempts many, and while we hate being the bearer of bad news, we must let you know they won’t show their brilliant fall colors until the tree matures. And by that time, the limbs are weak. Our storms, therefore, are brutal on Silver Maple trees. The question is never “if” a major limb fails but “when.” This greenery also develops huge surface roots that heave up sidewalks and driveways and infiltrate pipes. They tend to drop lots of twigs and seeds that clutter your yard. All in all, you get a high-maintenance, short-lived tree. If you want a maple in Kansas City, consider a native Sugar Maple or an oak tree for reliability.

Weeping willows are a fantasy-world species. What is there not to love about this romantic and picturesque greenery? Well…a lot. They are magical in a pond, don’t get us wrong, but in a typical Kansas City yard, these are the trees to avoid. Like the Silver Maple, a willow’s beauty comes with serious fragility. Their wood is naturally brittle, meaning weak branches snap off in moderate winds.

Even more concerning, willows in our region are very susceptible to a canker fungus that causes the twigs, branches, and even trunk sections to die back. Moreover, they love water so much that their roots end up invading your septic lines or constantly clogging your drains. In a small yard, they are overwhelmingly big. If you own one on your lawn, be proactive. They are a beautiful tree, but it may be time to have it trimmed or taken down before it drops something big on your property.

Mulberry species are trees not to plant in your yard. In Kansas City’s climate, they thrive all too well, which is exactly the problem, since they can overrun lawns and even nearby wild areas. Another major issue is the mess. Mulberries, as the name suggests, produce abundant juicy berries that drop everywhere, staining driveways, patios, and lawns

The tree’s aggressive roots are another concern: they can spread far and wide, heaving up sidewalks or invading pipes and garden beds if planted too close. And don’t get us started on their weak branching structure. In short, a mulberry can turn a pleasant yard into a high-maintenance nuisance. Save yourself the headache by not planting it or removing it as soon as possible.

Black Walnut trees are native to Missouri and valued for their timber and tasty nuts. But they are terrible for your yard. Planting one is considered declaring war on the rest of your poor landscape. Why, you may ask? Well, Black walnuts produce a toxic chemical called juglone that is released into the soil and can stunt or kill nearby plants around the tree.

Beyond that, black walnuts are messy. Every fall, they drop big, heavy green balls (the walnut husks) by the hundreds. These hard globes can dent car hoods, trip you in the yard, stain driveways, and are generally a pain to clean up. Neighbors might even complain if their garden is close and suffering. It’s better for you to reclaim your yard from this greenery, including removal and stump grinding. The walnuts are known for resprouting, and the old roots continue poisoning your lawn.

Norway Maple is a textbook example of a once-popular ornamental greenery that turned out to be one of the trees not to plant. This maple was favored for its dense shade and adaptability. However, they are exceedingly messy trees, producing what must be millions of seeds each year, becoming invasive in many parts of the U.S.

In Kansas City, it hasn’t been banned yet. But generally, it’s not recommended. Besides the awful shedding of seeds, this greenery has a reputation for weak wood and might break during heavy snow or ice. All things considered, planting a Norway Maple means signing up for a yard where nothing else grows. Trimming can help with the issue. However, we recommend replacing it as a long-term solution.

If you’re not familiar with Siberian Elm, count yourself lucky. Arborists consider it one of the worst trees to plant, classifying it as “not recommended” due to invasive traits that let it spread aggressively. In fact, they’ll grow anywhere that has soil. And they are no small trees by any means. But they pay for that fast growth with extremely brittle, weak wood.

It’s the third most common tree species in the KC region’s urban forest. However, it’s not greenery you would ever deliberately plant. If you see a sapling on your property, pull it out while you can. That’s the best advice we can give you. And if a mature one is growing near your home or business, have us evaluate it for removal, especially if it’s shedding big limbs or showing cracks.

Finally, we know it might surprise you to see Norway Spruce on this list. After all, they are evergreen trees often used as windbreaks or even as living Christmas trees, looking majestic against the winter snow. Yet, they are a bad choice for most yards in Kansas City for quite a few reasons.

First, they grow very large and wide, easily crowding small spaces. Second, they struggle in our hot, dry summers, becoming prone to pests like spider mites and bagworms, which can defoliate the tree. Besides, they are fast-growing, having an advantage over other spruces in colder areas, but it’s to the point that they turn invasive. Here, that’s not really a problem. However, tree care is not enough sometimes to reduce their stress and sickness during summer. If you suspect they’re a gust of wind away from breaking or falling, schedule your tree removal appointment with us.

Any of These Trees Giving You Issues Already? Remove Them from Your Yard with Us!

Have you recognized any of these trees not to plant in your yard? Then it’s time to reclaim your outdoor space. Larin Tree & Lawn Service LLC is the premier arborist in Kansas City, MO, offering swift and professional tree removal. Whether you have an otherworldly willow or an annoying cottonwood, we put a definite end to the issues they cause without causing you a bigger headache. We guarantee quick, hassle-free removals that allow you to enjoy a beautiful, safe landscape year-round. Contact us today for a free estimate!