Alabama’s warm climate makes it easy to grow a variety of trees, but not all of them are safe for your yard. Some trees may look beautiful, yet they hide toxins that can harm pets, kids, or even you.
Knowing which trees to skip can save you a lot of headaches down the road. Let’s look at 13 trees you’ll want to avoid planting in your Alabama garden.
1. Angel’s Trumpet
Every part of this stunning flowering tree contains deadly tropane alkaloids. Alabama gardeners are often tempted by its beautiful trumpet-shaped blooms, but even touching the leaves can cause skin irritation.
Children in Alabama have been hospitalized after simply playing near these trees. The sweet nectar can attract kids, making this one of the most dangerous ornamentals in the South.
2. Black Walnut
While the nuts are edible, Black Walnut trees release juglone, a natural toxin that kills many neighboring plants. Alabama gardeners often discover this too late when their garden beds mysteriously fail.
The fallen leaves and roots continue releasing this chemical even after removal. Throughout Alabama, these trees can make growing tomatoes, blueberries, and many landscape plants nearly impossible.
3. Oleander
Commonly planted for its drought tolerance and pretty flowers, every part of oleander contains cardiac glycosides that can stop your heart. Just a few leaves can be fatal to children or pets.
Smoke from burning oleander is equally dangerous. Alabama emergency rooms occasionally treat cases of accidental poisoning from this deceptively beautiful tree that thrives in the state’s warm climate.
4. Yew
Behind those bright red berries lies one of the deadliest trees around. Nearly every part contains taxine alkaloids that can cause sudden cardiac arrest without warning symptoms.
Alabama’s climate supports several yew varieties, making them common in older landscapes. The seeds inside the berries are especially toxic – a handful could be lethal to an adult in the Yellowhammer State.
5. Manchineel
Known as ‘the little apple of death,’ this rare but dangerous tree produces fruit resembling small apples that cause severe internal bleeding if eaten. Even standing under it during rain can cause skin blistering.
While uncommon in most of Alabama, they occasionally appear along the Gulf Coast region. Early Spanish explorers documented horrible reactions after sheltering under these trees during Alabama coastal storms.
6. Horse Chestnut
Often confused with edible chestnuts, these trees produce similar-looking nuts containing aesculin, which causes severe vomiting and potential paralysis. The spiny husks are nature’s warning signs.
Alabama children are particularly at risk during fall when the nuts drop. Despite their name and appearance, these are completely different from the sweet chestnuts once common throughout Alabama forests.
7. Chinaberry
Once planted as ornamental shade trees throughout Alabama, these fast-growing invaders produce berries containing neurotoxins that affect the nervous system. Birds spread the seeds, creating ecological problems.
Alabama’s Department of Conservation actively encourages removal of these trees. The yellow berries attract children but can cause breathing difficulties, seizures, and even death if consumed in the Heart of Dixie.
8. Golden Chain Tree
Those cascading yellow flowers hide a dark secret – all parts contain cytisine, a nicotine-like toxin that causes intense vomiting and heart problems. Just a few seed pods can be fatal to children.
Alabama’s mild winters allow these trees to thrive in many landscapes. Despite their beauty, Alabama poison control centers report several cases annually from people who mistakenly brew tea from the fragrant flowers.
9. European Spindle
The vibrant pink and orange fruits look like candy to children but contain powerful cardiac glycosides. Consuming just a few can cause irregular heartbeat and potential cardiac arrest.
Alabama’s climate is perfect for these ornamental trees. Local wildlife rehabilitation centers occasionally treat birds and small mammals poisoned by spindle berries throughout the Yellowhammer State.
10. Boxwood
Popular for hedges and topiary, boxwoods contain steroidal alkaloids that cause severe digestive upset in humans and animals. The distinct odor is actually a warning sign of their toxicity.
Alabama landscapers often recommend them without mentioning the risks. The leaves are particularly dangerous to horses and cattle, leading to several cases of livestock poisoning each year across Alabama’s rural communities.
11. Castor Bean
Growing to tree-like proportions in Alabama’s long growing season, castor bean plants contain ricin, one of the most potent plant toxins known. Just one or two seeds can be fatal to a child.
The attractive red seed pods burst open when mature, scattering dangerous seeds. Despite knowing the risks, some Alabama gardeners still grow these for their tropical-looking foliage in the southern parts of the state.
12. Cherry Laurel
The crushed leaves and broken twigs release hydrogen cyanide gas, which can cause rapid breathing difficulty. Birds spread the seeds across Alabama, making these toxic trees surprisingly common in natural areas.
Alabama hikers sometimes mistake the berries for edible cherries. While small amounts might cause only stomach upset, larger quantities can lead to respiratory failure and have caused livestock deaths throughout the state.
13. Daphne
Growing as a small tree or large shrub, every part contains powerful toxins that cause burning in the mouth, vomiting, and potential kidney failure. The sweet-smelling flowers are particularly deceptive.
Alabama’s mild climate allows daphne to thrive in partially shaded areas. Despite their toxicity, these plants are still sold in many Alabama garden centers without adequate warning labels about their dangerous properties.