Don't Plant These: 10 Beautiful Trees That Are Extremely Toxic

If you are lucky enough to have a large outside space, planting trees is a wonderful way to add structure and foliage. Watching the trees you have planted grow year after year can be incredibly rewarding. However, there are certain trees you should avoid planting in your yard. Although beautiful, some trees have serious levels of toxicity, such as the oleander tree and the angel's trumpet tree, and it's not worth the risk of having them in your garden. 

Toxic trees have a number of dangers. Some can be extremely toxic to eat, with their berries or foliage causing poisoning that can be fatal. Others are a contact hazard, with their sap or fruit causing severe irritation and blisters. Although you may know to wear gloves when handling these trees or to avoid eating the berries, children and animals will not. To look after your home and those who visit you, it is best to keep these trees away.

The manchineel tree (Hippomane mancinella) is famously known as the world's most dangerous tree and is even in the Guinness Book of Records for this title. It is native to Florida, Central America, and many Caribbean islands, growing amongst mangroves on coasts and in swamps. With rich green leaves and small green fruit, the manchineel tree looks pretty inconspicuous. However, every part of it is dangerous, with its sap causing burning and blindness and its fruit causing swelling of the throat and intestines. One small bite of the fruit can cause death.

With stunning flowers in hues of pink, orange, white, and red, oleander (Nerium oleander) is a favorite for many gardeners. However, you should be cautious about bringing it into your garden. Oleander contains cardenolide glycosides, which are natural toxins that can be fatal to humans and pets when ingested. The sap of the tree is also toxic. When broken, the branches of oleander will secrete a thick liquid that can cause contact dermatitis. Although a beautiful small tree, the risks of having oleander in your garden outweigh the benefits. Consider other long-blooming flowering trees, such as camellia, instead. 

Its light green leaves and small, golden flowers make poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix) a charming tree. It is native to the U.S. and eastern Canada, growing in mashes, bogs, and thickets. However, you should avoid adding this tree to your yard because of its toxicity. All parts of the poison sumac contain an irritating compound called urushiol. If your skin makes contact with the tree, the compound can cause rashes, swelling, blisters, and fever. Although animals are not directly affected by urushiol, it can still get on their fur and then be transferred to humans through handling. 

Chinaberry (Melia azedarach) is a fast-growing tree that can reach heights of up to 50 feet. Its star-like pink and purple flowers are nice to look at, but this tree should never be planted in a garden. Not only is it poisonous, but it is also considered an invasive species in many states, as it dominates native plants due to its resistance to pests and pathogens. The fruit and leaves of chinaberry are poisonous when consumed in large amounts, causing vomiting, irregular breathing, and seizures. Thankfully, there are beautiful alternatives to the invasive chinaberry, such as western soapberry. 

Although its drooping clusters of white flowers are attractive, the black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) should be avoided when looking for trees to add to your yard. The bark, seeds, and leaves of black locust contain robinin, which is a toxic flavonoid glycoside. When digested, black locust can cause death in humans and pets. Black locust is listed as a noxious weed in certain states and, although native to North Carolina, has become invasive in states where it does not naturally occur. Definitely leave this one out of your yard!

The golden chain tree (Laburnum anagyroides) is a beautiful tree with incredible cascading flowers flowing from its branches in May and June. However, if you want to avoid poisonous trees, you may just have to admire this one from a distance (i.e., through a screen!). All parts of the golden chain tree are poisonous, and ingesting them can lead to coma or death. Thankfully, there are loads of trees that bloom with gorgeous yellow flowers, such as the golden bells tree, to choose from if you are looking for a golden chain tree alternative. 

With its festive red berries and its ability to grow up to 60 feet, the common yew (Taxus baccata) is a breathtaking tree. Sadly, the common yew is a highly toxic tree due to the taxine alkaloids it contains. Taxine can be found throughout the tree, making its leaves, bark, stems, and berries poisonous. However, the highest amount of it is in the seeds. Consuming any of the common yew can be fatal in humans and animals, with the poison causing vomiting, pain, irregular heart rhythms, and cardiac and respiratory failure. 

Angel's trumpet (Brugmansia spp.) is a stunning ornamental tree with dramatic, drooping flowers blooming in hues of pink, gold, and white. It is common in many tropical gardens, but its flowers, leaves, and seeds are poisonous. This is due to the high levels of tropane alkaloids within them. If a person consumed parts of the angel's trumpet tree, they may experience symptoms like hallucinations, fever, dilated pupils, and paralysis. In severe cases, a person's respiratory system may fail. 

Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) has waxy, rich green leaves that add texture to a garden. With white flowers and gorgeous deep purple berries, it is a go-to tree for many gardeners looking for something elegant yet interesting. But cherry laurel contains high amounts of cyanogenic glycosides, which are poisonous to humans and many animals. This toxin is found within the leaves, seeds, and stems of the tree and can cause convulsions, coma, and respiratory failure. It is also classed as a weed of concern in certain states, such as Washington. 

Another aptly named tree, poisonwood (Metopium toxiferum) is a tree native to Florida and the Caribbean. Growing to around 40 feet in height, it's an impressive tree that has green, glossy leaves and a beautiful trunk that flakes to create an intriguing pattern. However, like its relative, the poison sumac, the poisonwood tree contains urushiol, which can be really harmful to the skin. If you come into contact with any part of this tree, you may experience a severe skin rash. The rash may last up to five weeks, with blisters, redness, and swelling.