Trees We Do Not Like

,

There are trees we do not like.
These are trees to take a hike.
One is called the Bradford Pear.
Please don’t plant it anywhere. -RA

Trees the dancin' tree.jpg

[sent via an e-mail, she’s a real beauty!]

The other day I added some quotes from past lectures including a quote about the nasty Bradford Pear. I then received a comment from Bill over at the Giant Duck Institute, about the Bradford pear and one of Bill’s favorite’s the Norway Maple, which got me to thinking.

What are the nasty trees that no one wants or should have in the landscape? So far we got 3, because I’m adding the good ‘ole sugar maple. So, so far:

  • Pyrus c. ‘Bradford’ the Bradford pear
  • Acer saccharinum L. the Sugar Silver(0000ps! my bad) Maple-is my pick, though I also have no love for the B. pear.
  • Acer platanoides L. the Norway maple-Bill from the Giant Duck Institute.

So let’s hear it! What are your picks and why. Just click on the comments link and add your choice. When we get up to 10 . . . if we get to 10 I’ll put up a page. That way they’ll be posted.

Here’s the Squidoo page where the list resides.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Addendum on November 8th, 2007

This has become the number one post on this blog, my guess you are here because of a search engine hit on trees. here are a few more post that might interest you.

  • This post talks about voting for the worst tree, and a link to the Squidoo page where the link is.
  • “The Seven-Son Flower”(SSF), or Heptacodium miconiodes.
  • Talking about the World of Arborculture.
  • Looking to help an organization with reforestation, contact Trees for the Future, this post will fill you in on the organization.

254 responses to “Trees We Do Not Like”

  1. What is the matter with these particular types of trees? As we all know, they remove CO2 from the atmosphere and… somewhat indirectly… produce oxygen. If they had minds, they’d probably think we’re pretty ugly too, but you notice they neither chop us down or “eradicate” us.

    Like

  2. oh alright! the monkey tree has rights too. I still don’t like them, but of course I wouldn’t chop it down. Not much humor on this site I don’t think. And, I’m not sure why responses sound as though the tree can read what i wrote. I don’t think I hurt the monkey trees’ feelings.

    May all Monkey Trees live long and prickly !!! yahoooo

    Michelle:
    The folks do have a lot of “hard” opinions about trees-that’s for sure. Heck; Maybe even I do
    🙂

    Like

  3. To Ms. Reed and IHateYou,
    Clearly, neither of you are involved in Horticulture professionally or otherwise.
    In the context of a discussion entitled “Trees We Do Not Like”, it should not be interpereted as an indictment of these plants rights to exist. It should indicate that people who work with plants have strong feelings about the ornamental characteristics and sustainability of certain species in a contrived “landscape” setting.
    Although posters have expressed personal preferences it indicates a passion for plants. This is not a bad thing in my view. People are at least paying attention. It does not mean people are shallow because they have an opinion regardless of whether you agree or not.
    I am not hostile toward trees, I am a protector and planter of them. I would certainly expect that I have planted and cared for far more trees than I have “cut down” for whatever reason.
    If we apply the reasoning that they have as much right to be there as we do, where do we draw the line. Should we refrain from weeding a garden because nutsedge has a right to exist?
    My guess is that this was supposed to be a light hearted expression of preferences for certain plants. Perhaps you should lighten up a bit.
    When you develop a sense of humor, send up a flare.

    It would have been so far from my thought process that there would be some sort of hostile back and forth, let alone hostile back and forth about trees. I hope this is the end of it.

    Like

  4. even thought this is not a favorite tree, has anyone noticed that the base of the tree looks like a dancing women?

    Like

  5. […] 5th, 2007 by Rick Anderson I am just amazed at the amount of traffic this post is still […]

    Like

  6. Rokkcos Action Front Avatar
    Rokkcos Action Front

    Yes megan, everyone can see that tree looks like a women, that’s why it’s posted there.

    as far as it goes i like most trees. i don’t have a least favorite.

    i just wish the rain hadn’t obliterated my pecan trees this season.

    Like

  7. Well, if you are still counting, I’d give a reprieve to the black walnut, and axe the tree of heaven in its place. I live and garden with a mature female black walnut, as well as a male. and lots of things grow under there. Some years you need to wear a hard-hat in September, tho. The one that bugs me most in my area is Ulmus pumila, chinese elm or siberian elm. People forget what a ‘real’ elm looks like.

    Leslie;
    you are welcome to follow the link to the Squidoo site and add a tree to the list, or just vote for what’s there, thanks for commenting.

    Like

  8. I stumbled upon this picture and I fell in love with it. I’ve posted it on my blog. I wanted to let you know. I just started my site and I’m not sure how to give your site credit etc. Please reply back. Thanks so much.

    Lindalatta.com

    Linda;
    You need to post a link back to my site or that page’s link and just mention where the link is from.

    Like

  9. I have added that info to my blog. It is an amazing picture – thanks again for sharing.

    You are quite welcome, come back when you can, and good luck with your blog.

    Like

  10. All this talk of tree hate and contrived “landscape” settings reminds me of another use for trees you consider worthless.
    You could pulp all the offending wood and make it into paper then print religious books eventually starting wars and print science books to make the weapons needed for the wars and hopefully over time a dependance will grow for a ONE world system that can correct and remove all those worthless mistakes made by my master. I long for the day when the wind blows and the bow breaks and down will come baby CRADLE AND ALL.

    The Wind is blowing

    The East Angel Returns

    Don’t forget your friends the ONEs that give you AIR

    I Love The Tree she’s beautiful!

    ps park your car somewhere else fukwit…

    Like

  11. Russian Olives aren’t very nice trees to have because they have very long thorns and aren’t fun to trim.

    I understand they also cause problems for asthma sufferers, and this is another example of a non-native wreaking havoc to the native plant species.

    Like

  12. Tamarisk/salt cedar trees. They have destroyed many beautiful riparian areas in the southwest. Thirsty ugly beasts that kill off the majestic cottonwoods while invading…

    Feel free to go to the Squidoo site and add that to the list there. Sad to hear about another non-native thriving in an area that affects the natives.

    Like

  13. i have been reading the replys to this question
    which trees do you hate with great interest, yet nobody has mentioned the leylandii, a man made tree that therefore does not have a right to live anywhere in the world. it is not native to anywhere.
    people plant it, believeing the advertizing, as a fast growing hedge, but in ten years or so, it is over twenty feet high and the branches for the first eight feet have died off. this means that the hedge is way up in the air and below is what looks like a series of telegraph poles.
    rid the world of this vile growth, hunt it down and kill it.

    the liver is evil
    punish it with alcohol

    Like

  14. the Bradford Pear in the picture looks like a danser :]]

    Like

  15. I am a landscape artist, and from my perspesctive, that tree is simply gorgeouse in it’s own unique way. I mean, not all trees have to be birch or maple in our front yards( although they are quite nice), but having a different tree in the front, will make your whole yard stand out. Trust me, I know 🙂

    Like

  16. The picture of that tree looks exactly like a ballerina dancer!! it’s amazing.

    Like

  17. i have a question, is the tree in this picture real? cause if it is, that is a really cool coincidence!

    The photo was sent to me with as part of a group of unusual images. It does not appear to be photo-shopped in any way/ As a long time pruner for health, “effect”, and aesthetics I think this is certainly possible. Someone with a lot of foresight and skills has done something remarkable.

    Like

  18. that is a beautiful image. the tree looks like a lady dancing!

    Like

  19. tree of heaven! I unfortunately have 4 in my yard.

    Like

  20. is it me or does the tree above look like a dancer?

    Like

  21. aww, i’ve never seen a tree i didn’t like. asymmetry can be quite aesthetically pleasing, actually.

    Like

  22. What’s wrong with a Bradford Pear? It’s shape is excellent and it is beautiful in the spring. Needs no grooming and grows relatively fast here in zone 8. ???????? Just a personal vendetta?

    Advancing age causes those 45degreee branch angle to snap off in high winds and or ice. Also it it stating to be proven out that the tree is; on average, a short-lived tree.

    Some folks do not care for it’s winter profile-which lacks interest.

    Like

  23. All you guys sound like a bunch of geeks!! They’re just trees!! get a grip on your selves….your talking about them as if they we’re women! they’re TREES!! relax…all of you. Go invest your time on something useful! GO LISTEN TO SOME JUDAS PREIST AND GET LAID!!!!!!!!!

    Like

  24. alanthus? not sure on the spelling, What an ugly messy tree, And I give two thumbs up to the Bradford being the worst tree,when in bloom it smells like baby diapers! lol

    Like

  25. hey has anyone noticed that this picture you have posted of the tree is quite beautiful resembling a woman dancing why do you hate this tree ?

    Thanks for stoppiung by, I don’t think anyone really hates this tree, it’s too beautiful.

    Like

Leave a reply to TurtleGirl Cancel reply