Not all trees belong next to your house. Some species are structurally weak, prone to disease, or built in a way that makes them a liability every time a storm blows through.
If you live in South Jersey, chances are good that at least one of the trees on this list is growing within striking distance of your home, your driveway, or your neighbor’s property. That does not mean you need to panic or start cutting everything down. But it does mean you should know which trees carry the most risk so you can make smarter decisions about maintenance and removal.
Here are the five species that cause the most problems for homeowners in our area, based on what we see on job sites across Gloucester County, Camden County, and the surrounding communities.
1. Bradford Pear (Callery Pear)
The Bradford pear might be the most regretted tree planting decision in the history of suburban America. Developers and homeowners planted millions of them across New Jersey in the 1980s and 1990s because they grew fast, produced pretty white flowers in spring, and looked symmetrical in a front yard.
The problem is their structure. Bradford pears grow with extremely tight, V-shaped branch unions. Multiple main branches compete for dominance, and they all attach to the trunk at narrow angles. This creates weak connection points that are prone to splitting.
A moderate wind event is often all it takes for a Bradford pear to rip apart. We have seen them split completely in half during storms that barely rattled other trees on the same street. When a 25-foot tree splits and drops half its canopy on your car, fence, or roof, the cleanup is not cheap.
On top of the structural problems, Bradford pears are now recognized as an invasive species. Several states have banned their sale because they cross-pollinate with other Callery pear varieties and produce aggressive offspring that spread into natural areas. Many of the Bradford pears planted decades ago in South Jersey are now reaching the end of their useful life span, making them even more likely to fail.
Our take: If you have a Bradford pear within 20 feet of your house, garage, or driveway, it is worth having it evaluated by a certified arborist. Many of these trees are already showing cracks and splits that will only get worse with time. Proactive tree removal is almost always cheaper than emergency cleanup after a storm.
2. Silver Maple
Silver maples are everywhere in South Jersey. They were a popular shade tree for decades because they grow quickly and produce a large, spreading canopy. That fast growth is exactly what makes them dangerous.
Silver maple wood is soft and brittle compared to other hardwoods. Their branches are long and heavy, and they tend to develop multiple codominant stems that create weak attachment points. During storms, silver maples are one of the first species to drop large limbs.
Their root system adds another layer of risk. Silver maples have aggressive, shallow roots that spread far beyond the canopy. These roots are notorious for cracking driveways, lifting sidewalks, infiltrating sewer lines, and pushing against foundations. If you have a silver maple growing close to your house, the roots may already be causing damage you cannot see.
Because of their shallow roots, silver maples are also more prone to uprooting in saturated soil. After a few days of heavy rain (common before a nor’easter), the soft ground offers less resistance, and the entire tree can topple.
Our take: Silver maples near structures should be inspected regularly and pruned to reduce weight on overextended branches. Tree pruning can extend the safe life of a silver maple, but if the tree has significant codominant stems or is already showing signs of decay, removal may be the safer option.
3. White Ash (Dead or Dying from Emerald Ash Borer)
The emerald ash borer has changed the landscape of New Jersey. This invasive beetle, originally from Asia, has killed tens of millions of ash trees across the eastern United States since it was first detected in Michigan in 2002. It arrived in New Jersey and has since spread across the state.
The beetle’s larvae feed on the inner bark of ash trees, cutting off the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients. An infested ash tree typically dies within 3 to 5 years.
The danger to homeowners is not just the infestation itself. It is what happens to the tree after it dies. Dead ash trees become extremely brittle in a short period of time. The wood dries out and loses its structural integrity faster than most other species. Branches snap without warning. Climbing a dead ash to remove it is one of the most hazardous tasks an arborist can face, because the wood can break under a climber’s weight.
If you have a standing dead ash tree on your property, especially one near your house, it is one of the highest-risk situations in residential tree care. Every storm that passes is another opportunity for that tree to come down.
Our take: Dead ash trees near structures should be removed as soon as possible. The longer they stand, the more brittle they become, and the more expensive and dangerous the removal gets. Do not wait for the next storm to make the decision for you. If you are unsure whether your ash trees are infested, a certified arborist from a professional tree service can evaluate them and let you know.
4. Eastern White Pine
Eastern white pines are a beautiful, iconic tree in New Jersey. They grow tall, sometimes reaching 80 feet or more in residential settings. Their soft needles and graceful shape make them a favorite for privacy screening and windbreaks.
But height is a liability when it comes to storm risk. A tree that grows to 80 feet can reach well beyond your property line if it falls. The potential damage zone of a tall pine is enormous.
White pines have relatively shallow root plates compared to their height. In saturated soil, they are vulnerable to uprooting. South Jersey’s clay-heavy soils in parts of Gloucester County and Camden County drain slowly, which keeps the ground soft longer after rain events. This is exactly the condition that makes tall pines unstable.
Ice storms and heavy wet snow are another concern. Pine canopies hold snow and ice because their needles do not shed moisture the way bare deciduous branches do. The accumulated weight can snap branches or bend the entire tree to the point of failure.
White pines also tend to lose large lower limbs as they mature. These limbs can be heavy enough to cause serious property damage or injury when they fall, even in the absence of a major storm.
Our take: If you have tall white pines near your house, keep them pruned to remove dead branches and reduce the risk of limb failure. Pay special attention to pines that have grown significantly taller than surrounding trees, as these are more exposed to wind. If a white pine is leaning, has visible root heaving, or is growing in an area with consistently wet soil, have it assessed by a professional.
5. Sweetgum
Sweetgum trees are native to the eastern United States and are common throughout South Jersey. They are attractive trees with star-shaped leaves that turn vivid colors in the fall. But sweetgum carries a combination of traits that make it a headache for homeowners.
Their root system is aggressive and shallow, similar to silver maples. Sweetgum roots are well known for lifting sidewalks, cracking driveways, and invading sewer and water lines. If a sweetgum is growing within 15 to 20 feet of your foundation, the roots may already be causing pressure on your home’s structure.
Structurally, sweetgum trees can develop codominant stems and included bark, both of which weaken the tree’s branch attachments. During storms, sweetgum trees can lose significant limbs or split at the trunk.
And then there are the seed pods. Sweetgum trees produce hundreds of hard, spiky seed balls that litter the ground every fall and winter. They are a tripping hazard, a nuisance for lawn care, and a pain to clean up. While this is more of an annoyance than a safety risk, it adds to the overall burden of having this species close to your house.
After stump grinding, sweetgum roots are also among the most aggressive re-sprouters. They can send up new shoots from the root system for years after the tree is removed. If you remove a sweetgum, make sure the stump is properly ground and plan to manage any sprouts in the first few seasons.
Our take: Sweetgum trees planted far from structures and infrastructure can be fine. But a sweetgum growing close to your house, driveway, sidewalk, or sewer line is a tree that will likely cause problems over time. Regular pruning helps manage the canopy, but the root system is harder to control.
Honorable Mentions
A few other species that frequently cause issues in South Jersey but did not make the top five:
Willow trees grow fast and look dramatic, but they have extremely weak wood, aggressive roots that seek out water lines, and a short life span. They drop branches constantly.
Norway maple is an invasive species with shallow roots that make it nearly impossible to grow grass underneath. It also produces dense shade that crowds out other plants.
Black walnut produces a chemical called juglone that is toxic to many other plants. If you have garden beds or landscaping near a black walnut, you may notice plants struggling or dying for no apparent reason.
The Bottom Line: Know What You Have
The first step in managing tree risk is simply knowing what species are on your property and where they are relative to your house, driveway, utility lines, and property lines.
Not every Bradford pear needs to come down today. Not every silver maple is a disaster waiting to happen. But understanding the weaknesses of the trees in your yard lets you make informed decisions about pruning, monitoring, and removal.
If you are not sure what species you have or whether any of your trees are a concern, Bumblebee Tree Service offers free property evaluations across South Jersey. Our certified arborists can identify every tree on your lot, point out any risks, and give you a plan to keep your property safe.
