Problem Trees
5 Trees Homeowners Regret Planting

It may seem as though loads of tree species make up Winnipeg's urban forest, but compared to other zones, we have a very limited number of species, and it is all due to our harsh climate. The types of trees that grow well here are elm, ash, maple, oak, poplar, basswood, willow, birch, spruce, pine, cedar, some fruit trees and a variety of shrubs.
Let me start by saying I don't believe there is such a thing as a 'Bad Tree'. Every tree should be planted in a place that suits it's (growth) habit. Planting the wrong tree in the wrong place is a guarantee for future removal.
The following are 5 trees that make the 'Least Wanted' list for city lots within the city of Winnipeg.
Please think long and hard before planting these trees in your yard.
#1 Willow
Pros: Grows very quickly, has a very extensive root system, great for giving support on the edges of waterways or areas with erosion issues. Excellent shade tree, the larger varieties of Willow's branches are high in the air making it perfect for large open spaces. Great climbing trees for young and old, with their monster arm like branches Willows make great photo op trees.
Cons: Fast growing means brittle. Requires lots of water (best planted on river banks or by ditches), long roots seek water sources, fine roots penetrate sewer lines, fills drain tile, a little wind will fill your yard with small branches, even larger branches tend to be brittle and failure is not uncommon.
#2 Poplar (Cottonwood)
Pros: Fast growing, 50'-70' high in 25 years is not out of the question. Great for farms as wind breaks or by waterways so that the root system can support the banks.
Cons: Fast growing means brittle. Branches span far and wide (best planted away from power lines and buildings) large long surface roots, damage to sidewalks and landscaping, roots fill drain tile in foundations. Messy cotton like seeds, branches tend to be brittle. Highbred varieties were developed for windbreaks on farms and were never meant to be planted in city limits. Highbred varieties grow fast and have a short lifespans, they begin to fail after only 25-35 years requiring an expensive removal. Because of this, sadly in the tree removal business poplars are often referred to as a money trees.
#3 Two common Elms: American Elm and Manchurian / Siberian or Russian Elm
Pros: American Elms in particular have a very long life span of 300-400 years, other elms do not live quite as long but still outlast many other varieties. Very strong stable trees, American Elms in particular are not prone to failure. Adding property value, a large well cared for elm is a great tree to have on your property. Winnipeg has the largest urban elm forests in the world with over 200000 trees (2010).
Cons: American Elm in particular is a favorite habitat for the Elm Bark Beetle. In Winnipeg 5000-6000 elm trees are removed annually due to dutch elm disease. Once a tree has the beetle, the beetle's life cycle generally results in American Elm Trees becoming infected with Dutch Elm Disease from bacteria in tunnels between bark and wood. Manchurian, Siberian, or Russian Elms are all the same tree but by different common names, they harbour the beetles but do not succumb to the disease. These elms have a round paper type seed in spring that all once they land seem to sprout in the most unfortunate locations, and being that elm leaves are a favorite food of cankerworms a curtain of worm silk in spring and early summer is the norm unless banding is done properly. The main reason for these elms getting such a bad rap is because of their roots systems which are fibrous and aggressive when it comes to infiltrating sewer lines and foundations.
#4 Shubert Chokecherry
Pros: The colour, it is different and quite pleasing to the eye. The shape, nice size tree, and little to no pruning is necessary to keep it in check. They smell great with their delicate white flowers in the spring, not to mention that birds love the fruit, as do people who make jelly. Best of all the fruit seems to last an eternity on the tree, ripe on the branches for over a month is not unheard of.
Cons: Unfortunately you will most certainly end up having to remove this tree just as you are starting to enjoy it's shade because of Black Knot Fungus. The fungus will eventually kill the tree, even if you are diligent in removing it as it appears. Suckers are a sign of stress and are very common in this variety. Suckering around the base of the tree is almost unbearable for some, and the above ground roots can be a tripping hazard and an obstacle for mowers.
#5 Manitoba Maple
Pros: Fast growing, not considered brittle, a great shade tree with interesting burls (cankers or tubers) and features on older trees makes for great squirrel habitat... okay, maybe that could be in the 'Cons' category. Take a walk through Assiniboine Park along the river trails and these are the most common trees you will come across. They tend to look much older than they are due to the burls as previously mentioned.
Cons: Grows really well in our climate, maybe too well, in some people's estimation, they are equivalent to a 40'-50' weed. Again, a great shade tree, but very hard to train into something beautiful. Unfortunately it does not handle pruning stress well and tends to send out plenty of shoots at any pruning site. Alternatively when a branch is removed, MB maples compartmentalize and rot from the inside out creating that refuge that squirrels and chipmunks love.
Need help selecting a tree? Visit the Urban Forests Eco Institute and remember Winnipeg is located in Zone 2:
http://selectree.calpoly.edu/?-session=selectree:184D863F0a60f323F0VpN2A8D540
Let me start by saying I don't believe there is such a thing as a 'Bad Tree'. Every tree should be planted in a place that suits it's (growth) habit. Planting the wrong tree in the wrong place is a guarantee for future removal.
The following are 5 trees that make the 'Least Wanted' list for city lots within the city of Winnipeg.
Please think long and hard before planting these trees in your yard.
#1 Willow
Pros: Grows very quickly, has a very extensive root system, great for giving support on the edges of waterways or areas with erosion issues. Excellent shade tree, the larger varieties of Willow's branches are high in the air making it perfect for large open spaces. Great climbing trees for young and old, with their monster arm like branches Willows make great photo op trees.
Cons: Fast growing means brittle. Requires lots of water (best planted on river banks or by ditches), long roots seek water sources, fine roots penetrate sewer lines, fills drain tile, a little wind will fill your yard with small branches, even larger branches tend to be brittle and failure is not uncommon.
#2 Poplar (Cottonwood)
Pros: Fast growing, 50'-70' high in 25 years is not out of the question. Great for farms as wind breaks or by waterways so that the root system can support the banks.
Cons: Fast growing means brittle. Branches span far and wide (best planted away from power lines and buildings) large long surface roots, damage to sidewalks and landscaping, roots fill drain tile in foundations. Messy cotton like seeds, branches tend to be brittle. Highbred varieties were developed for windbreaks on farms and were never meant to be planted in city limits. Highbred varieties grow fast and have a short lifespans, they begin to fail after only 25-35 years requiring an expensive removal. Because of this, sadly in the tree removal business poplars are often referred to as a money trees.
#3 Two common Elms: American Elm and Manchurian / Siberian or Russian Elm
Pros: American Elms in particular have a very long life span of 300-400 years, other elms do not live quite as long but still outlast many other varieties. Very strong stable trees, American Elms in particular are not prone to failure. Adding property value, a large well cared for elm is a great tree to have on your property. Winnipeg has the largest urban elm forests in the world with over 200000 trees (2010).
Cons: American Elm in particular is a favorite habitat for the Elm Bark Beetle. In Winnipeg 5000-6000 elm trees are removed annually due to dutch elm disease. Once a tree has the beetle, the beetle's life cycle generally results in American Elm Trees becoming infected with Dutch Elm Disease from bacteria in tunnels between bark and wood. Manchurian, Siberian, or Russian Elms are all the same tree but by different common names, they harbour the beetles but do not succumb to the disease. These elms have a round paper type seed in spring that all once they land seem to sprout in the most unfortunate locations, and being that elm leaves are a favorite food of cankerworms a curtain of worm silk in spring and early summer is the norm unless banding is done properly. The main reason for these elms getting such a bad rap is because of their roots systems which are fibrous and aggressive when it comes to infiltrating sewer lines and foundations.
#4 Shubert Chokecherry
Pros: The colour, it is different and quite pleasing to the eye. The shape, nice size tree, and little to no pruning is necessary to keep it in check. They smell great with their delicate white flowers in the spring, not to mention that birds love the fruit, as do people who make jelly. Best of all the fruit seems to last an eternity on the tree, ripe on the branches for over a month is not unheard of.
Cons: Unfortunately you will most certainly end up having to remove this tree just as you are starting to enjoy it's shade because of Black Knot Fungus. The fungus will eventually kill the tree, even if you are diligent in removing it as it appears. Suckers are a sign of stress and are very common in this variety. Suckering around the base of the tree is almost unbearable for some, and the above ground roots can be a tripping hazard and an obstacle for mowers.
#5 Manitoba Maple
Pros: Fast growing, not considered brittle, a great shade tree with interesting burls (cankers or tubers) and features on older trees makes for great squirrel habitat... okay, maybe that could be in the 'Cons' category. Take a walk through Assiniboine Park along the river trails and these are the most common trees you will come across. They tend to look much older than they are due to the burls as previously mentioned.
Cons: Grows really well in our climate, maybe too well, in some people's estimation, they are equivalent to a 40'-50' weed. Again, a great shade tree, but very hard to train into something beautiful. Unfortunately it does not handle pruning stress well and tends to send out plenty of shoots at any pruning site. Alternatively when a branch is removed, MB maples compartmentalize and rot from the inside out creating that refuge that squirrels and chipmunks love.
Need help selecting a tree? Visit the Urban Forests Eco Institute and remember Winnipeg is located in Zone 2:
http://selectree.calpoly.edu/?-session=selectree:184D863F0a60f323F0VpN2A8D540