One Popular Tree To Avoid Planting If You Don't Like A Mess Across Two Seasons

With autumn comes the beautiful foliage that we eagerly await every year. There's just something so festive about an impending fall season, and while we all enjoy the romance of brilliantly colored trees and hot apple cider, the reality for many homeowners is that fall is the season of endless yard work. Those brilliantly colored trees have a price, and though they look pretty, it can be a messy business.

One of the worst culprits of fall yard mess? The red oak. Also called the northern red oak, it's a beautiful tree with idyllically shaped leaves that turns a vivacious red during the fall. It's a stunning sight that lends a certain fairy tale feel to your yard, but the problem is, it's a messy, high-maintenance tree. You need to know how to care for and grow your oaks properly on top of cleaning up after it. 

During the fall, loads of leaves — and those charming acorns, a hallmark of fall decor — drop from red oaks. If acorns fall from high enough in the tree, they can cause damage; they've been known to crack car windshields! And fall isn't the only season red oaks make a mess, either. During spring, oaks drop catkins: long clumps of flower clusters. It's fairly messy and terrible for allergies. Even though different types of oak trees are beautiful to plant in your yard, it definitely can be a hassle, leaving you to wonder what other choices you have. 

The sad news is that all oaks will plague you with dropping acorns, catkins, and large volumes of leaves. However, if you're looking for alternatives that may not be as messy for as long, there are some tree varieties that could suit what you're looking for. Though it could be a challenge at first to find a deciduous tree that doesn't produce catkins or drop bunches of leaves, you'll find the best fit for your landscape lifestyle.

Maple trees, for instance, can add some stunning drama to your yard. They have the same dazzling display of fall color as oaks but without hazardous acorns. Maples also don't produce catkins; instead, they produce fruit called samara and winged seeds, which are less messy and more allergy-friendly. Japanese maples, in particular, are beautiful ornamental maples that are smaller in size with leaves that are equally as petite, so raking doesn't feel as heavy as other maples.

Lime trees (aka Lindens, not the citrus) are another alternative to red oak with a gorgeous yellow coloration in the fall but sans falling acorn traps. While they do produce small flower bunches, some folks actually use linden flowers for herbal tea – a surprise bonus. So, while you may be lamenting that a classic red oak tree may not mesh with your lifestyle (or distaste for yard work), don't worry too much. There is a perfect tree for you waiting to be planted.