16 Popular Trees That Grow Fast—Then Fall Apart Faster Than You’d Expect

Not all libertine growers are a gift . Some are a tick off fourth dimension bomb .

You plant them for refinement , privacy , maybe a footling curb entreaty . They bourgeon up like rockets . You find like a genius . And then — collapse . Snap . Crash .

Branches set out breaking in a air . Trunks rent . The root elevate your walkway like it ’s made of paper .

These tree might see great now , but give them a few years — and they ’ll be your biggest regret . They ’re brittle , messy , unawares - lived , or just plain life-threatening .

If you ’re tempt by “ fast - growing ” on the recording label , suspension . tight does n’t always entail smart .

Before you plant , read this . These 16 Tree may be popular , but they come with luggage . And replace them ? That ’s no weekend project .

Silver Maple

Silver Maples are beloved for their rapid growth and shadiness - provide capabilities . Unfortunately , this speeding come at a cost . Their wood is brittle and prostrate to breaking in violent storm . gardener often rule themselves dealing with fallen branch . A fun fact : these Tree are native to eastern North America . Despite their sweetheart , their invasive roots can damage sidewalks and plumbing , making them a less idealistic selection for urban options .

Weeping Willow

Weeping Willows are iconic , with their graceful , drooping branches . However , their fast growth results in weak forest . In blowy conditions , they are susceptible to breakage . Their romantic coming into court often belies the maintenance they require . Interestingly , these trees are said to have originated from China , yet they thrive in moist , temperate mood worldwide .

Lombardy Poplar

The Lombardy Poplar stand improbable and narrow , making it a popular selection for windbreaks . Yet , its speedy increase conduct to a short lifetime . These tree are often plagued by diseases such as canker sore , which weaken them further . An interesting tidbit : they were widely planted in the 18th century across Europe before their vulnerabilities became ostensible .

Empress Tree

sleep with for its breathless purple flowers , the Empress Tree grows at an astonishing pace . However , its woodwind is indulgent and break easily . This tree is often considered encroaching due to its fast-growing spreading . A fascinating fact : the Empress Tree is named after an empress of China and is often used in traditional Chinese medication .

Bradford Pear

Bradford Pears are loved for their beautiful outflow blossoms . regrettably , their rapid growth results in weak offshoot structures . These tree often separate and go against , peculiarly during tempest . Interestingly , they were initially bred to be sterile , but fussy - pollination has precede them to become invasive in many surface area of the United States .

Mimosa Tree

Mimosa trees , with their fluffy pink flower , tot a tropic panache to gardens . Yet , their rapid growth leads to structural helplessness . They are also prone to pests and diseases . Did you bed ? The Mimosa Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree originates from Asia and is often found in warmer mood due to its sensitiveness to cold .

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus trees are fast - growing and are love for their redolent leave . However , their rapid growth often lead in shallow root system . This make them prone to toppling over in potent steer . Interestingly , while aboriginal to Australia , Eucalyptus has been planted worldwide for its wood and oil .

Eastern Cottonwood

Eastern Cottonwoods are assess for their rapid increment and refinement . However , their weak wood and shallow roots are problematic . These trees often suffer from limb breakage . A fun fact : the seeds of Eastern Cottonwoods are carried far and blanket by the farting , allowing them to circularise easily .

Green Ash

Green Ash trees arise quickly , wee them a favorite for urban landscape painting . Yet , their degraded growth leads to brittle woodwind instrument . They are also highly susceptible to the emerald ash bore bit . Did you roll in the hay ? Despite their current popularity , Green Ash trees are facing decline due to this pest .

Norway Maple

Norway Maples are admire for their heavy canopies and speedy emergence . However , this vigour often result in structural failing . Their encroaching nature can also crowd together out native metal money . Despite their issues , these tree diagram are commonly feel in urban areas across North America .

Leyland Cypress

Leyland Cypress is often used as a secrecy hedgerow due to its fast maturation . Despite this ontogeny , its wood is weak and brittle . These trees are prostrate to diseases such as root rot . Interestingly , they are a hybrid species , aggregate characteristics of two different cypress tree trees .

Russian Olive

Russian Olive trees are known for their silvery leave of absence and ability to thrive in wretched soil . However , their speedy maturation leads to weak Sir Henry Wood . They are often considered invasive due to their aggressive airing . Did you know ? These trees were originally introduced to North America for erosion command purposes .

Tree of Heaven

The Tree of Heaven grows quickly , make it a common spate in urban environments . Yet , its wood is notoriously light and prostrate to damage . These trees also produce a strong odor and are invasive . An interesting fact : this tree is aboriginal to China and was introduced to North America in the eighteenth century .

Paper Birch

Paper Birches are cherished for their striking clean bark and speedy growth . Unfortunately , this growth result in washy wood . They are also susceptible to pests and diseases . Despite this , Paper Birches remain a beloved part of northerly landscapes , specially during the fall with their gold leaves .

Tallow Tree

Tallow Trees are look up to for their vivacious declension colour and warm maturation . However , their wood is frail and prone to breakage . They are considered invasive in many regions , spreading sharply . Interesting choice morsel : the Tallow Tree is aboriginal to China and was ab initio introduced to the United States for crude product .

Black Locust

Black Locust Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree are known for their fast emergence and knotty wood . However , their speedy expansion pretend them encroaching . Their leg are also briary and can be wild . Fun fact : despite being problematical , their Sir Henry Joseph Wood is fantastically durable and tolerant to decay , often used for fence posts .

16 Popular Trees That Grow Fast—Then Fall Apart Faster Than You’d Expect