Maryland lawns face unique challenges thanks to our clay-heavy soils, unpredictable weather swings, and humid summers. While trees add beauty and shade to any yard, some species create more headaches than they’re worth for homeowners trying to maintain healthy grass.
From roots that choke out turf to leaves that smother everything beneath, certain trees simply don’t play well with lawn care goals. Understanding which trees cause the most trouble can save you years of frustration and expensive lawn repairs.
1. Norway Maple
Dense canopy growth blocks nearly all sunlight from reaching the ground below. Grass needs adequate light to photosynthesize, and when a Norway maple matures, your turf doesn’t stand a chance.
Shallow root systems spread aggressively across the soil surface, competing directly with grass for water and nutrients. In my own Maryland yard, I watched bare patches expand yearly under one of these trees.
Fallen leaves create thick mats in autumn that suffocate any remaining grass if not removed quickly.
2. Black Walnut
Juglone is a chemical compound released by black walnut roots, leaves, and hulls that poisons many plants. Turfgrass varieties commonly used in Maryland are particularly sensitive to this toxin.
The drip line extends far beyond what you’d expect, creating a dead zone that spreads outward each season. From experience, even tomatoes and flowers planted nearby will wilt and die.
Fallen nuts and hulls add to the mess, staining patios and making mowing a frustrating chore each fall.
3. Silver Maple
Surface roots emerge like tentacles across your lawn, making mowing nearly impossible without damaging equipment. These roots heave upward as the tree ages, creating trip hazards and bare soil patches.
Fast growth means aggressive water consumption, leaving surrounding grass brown and stressed during Maryland’s dry summer spells. For me, this tree turned out to be more trouble than it was worth.
Brittle branches drop constantly during storms, littering the yard with debris that requires frequent cleanup.
4. Weeping Willow
Water-hungry roots seek out moisture relentlessly, often invading septic systems and water lines. Your lawn suffers as the tree pulls every drop of available water during growing season.
Constant leaf and twig drop creates never-ending yard maintenance throughout spring and summer. The drooping branches also touch the ground, preventing grass growth in large circular areas.
Shallow root networks spread far beyond the canopy, making it difficult to establish healthy turf or garden beds anywhere nearby.
5. Bradford Pear
Weak branch structure leads to frequent storm damage, dropping large limbs that tear up turf and create dangerous situations. Maryland’s spring thunderstorms seem designed to destroy these trees.
Root systems grow shallow and wide, monopolizing soil nutrients that grass desperately needs. The tree’s aggressive growth rate means it outcompetes lawn grass within just a few years.
Invasive tendencies allow seedlings to pop up throughout your yard, requiring constant vigilance to prevent unwanted saplings from taking over flower beds.
6. White Pine
Needle drop accumulates in dense layers that acidify the soil beneath, creating conditions where typical lawn grasses struggle to survive. The acidic environment favors moss over turf.
Year-round needle shed means constant raking if you want to maintain any grass underneath. I’ve found that even shade-tolerant grass varieties give up eventually.
Lower branches die back naturally as the tree matures, leaving ugly dead wood that blocks light and collects more fallen needles beneath.
7. Sweetgum
Spiky seed balls litter the ground from fall through spring, making barefoot walks painful and mowing hazardous. These hard spheres damage mower blades and create an endless cleanup task.
Shallow roots compete aggressively with turf for resources, gradually expanding the barren zone beneath the canopy. The tree’s water demands leave surrounding grass perpetually thirsty during Maryland summers.
Fallen leaves are slow to decompose, smothering grass if not removed promptly each autumn season.
8. Mulberry
Fruit drop creates purple stains on everything below, including sidewalks, patios, and any remaining grass. Birds feast on the berries, then leave droppings that add to the mess.
Rapid growth and shallow roots mean constant competition with your lawn for nutrients and water. The tree spreads aggressively through root suckers, sending up new shoots throughout nearby garden areas.
Leaves are large and slow to break down, forming mats that block sunlight and prevent healthy turf growth underneath the canopy.