Avoid Planting This Common Tree To Prevent Potentially Stinking Up Your Yard

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If you live in USDA plant hardiness zones 2 through 6, chances are you have come across white spruce (Picea glauca) more than a few times. It is widespread throughout Alaska and the northern U.S. and is often used as a privacy, specimen, or windbreak tree. It grows fast, looks beautiful, and thrives in a range of conditions. Plus, it attracts a number of birds. Honestly, it is hard not to want this tree in your yard. The problem, though, is that it smells and can literally stink up your yard.

The smell comes from its needles, which, when crushed, release a pungent odor. Some people even compare this smell to a cat's urine. It is part of a chemical defense against herbivore attacks, releasing volatile compounds, especially monoterpenes, when the leaves are chewed or crushed. However, the smell of white spruce is not the only reason to not want it in your yard. The tree is highly flammable, too.

So, if you live in a fire-prone area, you might want to avoid growing it in your yard. On top of that, white spruce does not handle air pollution particularly well, which makes it unsuitable for many urban environments as well. Put simply, if this plant's downsides concern you, you should not plant white spruce in your yard and instead look for some other tree varieties that are beneficial to your yard and local wildlife.

Siberian fir (Abies Sibirica) is a good alternative to white spruce if you are looking for something that has the same pyramidal shape and attractive green color. Plus, just like white spruce, it also provides a good habitat for birds and thrives in USDA zones 1 to 6. The only issue is that it is one of those trees that will easily outgrow a small yard. In ideal conditions, it can grow to a height of more than 100 feet. So, if you have a tiny yard, you might want to find some other small trees that won't overtake your yard.

Take, for instance, Norway spruce (Picea abies). Just like white spruce, it only grows about 40 to 60 feet tall and has a nice compact conical shape. However, unlike white spruce, it smells really nice. Even better? It grows really fast, especially when it is young, adding up to 3 feet per year to its height. Just keep in mind, though, that it needs slightly acidic soil. So, make sure you test and amend your soil with a home-based soil testing kit like MySoil Soil Test Kit before you plant it in your yard.

And if both of the above trees don't work for you, you can also consider growing white pine (Pinus strobus). It also grows fast, nearly 2 to 3 feet every year, and can live for hundreds of years. It attracts and provides food for wildlife, too. Just keep in mind, though, that just like white spruce, it is also intolerant of air pollution. So, if you live in a cityscape, you might want to consider something else.