Risky Trees to Avoid Near Your House in Northwest Ohio
Trees add beauty, shade, and character to Ohio neighborhoods by cooling yards, increasing home value, and creating lively streetscapes. However, not all trees are good neighbors—some are prone to storm damage, have aggressive roots, or attract pests and disease, especially when planted too close to houses, driveways, or utilities.
In Northwest Ohio, including Toledo and its surrounding suburbs, residents frequently encounter the same troublesome species that repeatedly cause headaches for homeowners. Let’s take a friendly walk through some of the top culprits and share what you should know about them so you can prevent costly repairs.
Bradford Pear: Beautiful but Brittle
It’s easy to see why Bradford pears were so popular to plant in Ohio several decades ago. In early spring, their clouds of white blossoms are stunning. But appearances can deceive. Bradford pears grow rapidly and develop narrow branch angles, which makes them structurally weak.
By the time the tree reaches maturity, heavy limbs are likely to snap at the first strong gust of wind.
Bradford pears are invasive in Ohio, spreading rapidly and crowding out native species. The Ohio Department of Agriculture banned the sale and planting of these products in 2023. If you have one near your house, removing it before it drops branches or splits can prevent costly storm damage.
Silver Maple: Fast Shade, Lasting Problems
Silver maples are a common sight in older neighborhoods of Toledo. Homeowners appreciate them because they grow quickly and offer shade in just a few years. However, their wood is weak and brittle. Mature silver maples are known for losing large limbs during summer thunderstorms or winter ice storms.
Silver maples have shallow roots that can damage sidewalks, driveways, and sewer lines, resulting in costly repairs. Their wounds often rot, making older trees a greater risk than an asset.
Tree-of-Heaven: A Notorious Invader
With a name like tree-of-heaven, you’d think it would be something wonderful. In truth, this tree is a nightmare near houses. It grows incredibly fast, produces foul-smelling flowers, and sends roots into anything that retains moisture. Foundations, patios, and septic systems cannot withstand its aggressive underground spread.
Tree-of-heaven is the preferred host for the invasive spotted lanternfly, spreading pest problems in Ohio. If it is near your property, it poses a risk to your home and your neighbors. Experts recommend removing it immediately.
Black Locust: Tough Wood, Tougher Roots
Black locust trees have a reputation for hard, rot-resistant wood, but ironically, their limbs often break in high winds. Add to that a tendency to spread by sending up suckers from their roots, and you end up with a tree that can take over a yard.
The roots can be a nightmare, damaging sidewalks, driveways, and plumbing. Though spring blossoms smell sweet, the headaches this tree causes near your house are not.
Ash Trees: Victims of a Silent Killer
Many neighborhoods in Northwest Ohio were once lined with beautiful ash trees. Sadly, the emerald ash borer changed that forever. This invasive beetle has killed millions of ash trees across the Midwest, and it continues to devastate local populations.
An ash tree can appear healthy one year but die within a few seasons after infestation. Weakened wood becomes brittle and dangerous, with large branches or trees falling suddenly. If you have an ash near your home, inspect it. Treatment may help some, but removal is usually the safest option.
Willow: A Water Seeker You Don’t Want by the House
Few trees are as graceful as a weeping willow swaying in the breeze. But plant one near your home and you’re inviting trouble. Willow roots are water-hungry and relentless. They’ll find their way into sewer lines, septic systems, and even foundation cracks.
Willow wood is weak and tends to split under the pressure of storms. Regular cleanup of fallen twigs and the risk of root invasion highlight why we advise keeping willows away from houses and utilities. They’re best in open fields or near ponds, where their roots and branches won’t threaten structures.
Boxelder: The Bug Magnet
Boxelder maples are native, but they often behave like weeds. They sprout fast, have weak wood, and break easily. They attract boxelder bugs that swarm trees in summer and enter homes in fall to overwinter. While they don’t cause indoor damage, no one wants hundreds of bugs on their walls.
For homeowners, a boxelder near the house usually ends up being more of a nuisance than a benefit.
Smarter Choices for Ohio Yards
So what should you plant instead? Strong, long-lived species like red oak, sugar maple, or hackberry can provide shade without the same risks associated with other species.
Ornamental trees such as serviceberry or redbud offer beauty and wildlife benefits in smaller yards. Choosing the right tree for the right place makes all the difference—and avoids costly headaches down the road.
Protecting Your Home and Your Trees
If you already have one of these “risky” species near your home, don’t panic. Many issues can be managed with the right care. Regular pruning, cabling of weak limbs, and pest treatments can extend the safe life of a tree. But in some cases, removal is the only responsible choice.
At Joey Tree Service, our ISA-certified arborist can evaluate your trees, recommend the best course of action, and safely perform removals when necessary. We don’t just cut trees; we help homeowners in Toledo and across Northwest Ohio make informed decisions to keep their properties safe and attractive.
Ready for a Tree Check-Up?
If you’re worried about a tree near your home, schedule an inspection with Joey Tree Service.
We’ll provide you with honest advice, identify potential risks, and offer solutions to your needs.
