Keep these trees out of your compound

Umbrella tree with small leaves
When Florence Mutiibwa, finished her house, the next step was working on the compound, she then bought trees and flowers from a road side florist.

“When I went to buy the trees, I focused on getting shade in my compound and a cool breeze, the man only sold what I pointed at saying they were very good, one of them was the umbrella tree,” she recalls, saying, “The more the tree grew, the more shade it provided which made my home lovely place to stay but one time. However, I hated my home when the beautiful tree harboured caterpillars, these nearly chased me away me from my home.”

The umbrella tree looks very beautiful at a young stage but as it grows up, produces a lot of flowers mainly during the sunny season. Nkatta says the flowers attract a lot of bees and flies due to the bad smell. As much as it provides a good shade, it turns out to be an inconvenience.

Omukokowe
Molly Musoke, a home owner, can never forget the omukokowe tree that grew behind her latrine. It was harmless as a little growing weed but the more it stayed, the more it got bigger and tall with nasty fruits that made her backyard very dirty and smelly, it is not until she cut it and uprooted the trunk that she got a relief.
Scientifically known as ficus ovata, this tree normally grows tall with a very a big stem as well as the roots. The problem with mukokokowe tree according to Nkatta, is its root system which is very difficult to control and eradicate. “As the tree grows up, the roots can or will take their toll not only on the house’s foundation and perimeter walls,” explains Nkatta. The omukokowe tree also produces some awkward fruits that are difficult to remove when they fall on the ground.

Mulberry Tree
According to Musa Kato, a landscaper, the mulberry tree locally called nkenene is known to produce impressive amounts of pollen, which attract numerous insects. “The mulberry tree is one of the best choices if you want extra shade during the hot season but, at the same time, think about all the insects that will be roaming freely around your house like bees,” he notes.

Ficus Benjamina
This is commonly known as ficus tree or weeping fig. These tend to have very wide branches making it easy for snakes to enter the house in case the windows are left open. And the more it grows big, the more roots it produces. These roots will in the long run grow towards the house hence causing damage.
Nkatta advises that only people with big land can have such trees though they should be planted a good distance away from the house.

Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is medicinal, treats diseases such as cough, it also has a strong and nice scent. However, Kato reveals that if the eucalyptus tree is planted anywhere near the home, the possibilities of damaging the house are high.
“Eucalyptus tree is one of the fastest growing plants, they are tall trees with shallow and spreading roots,” he notes
Kato adds that in the home landscape, the shallow root depth of eucalyptus can become problematic as they can affect the house foundation. “These trees have falling branches that may damage the house, other plants in the compound or and can injure lives of those living around,” expounds Kato.

Omusizi
Omusizi tree has wide roots that dig deep. Also known as maesopsis eminii, these can damage the foundation of the house and if it is next to the fence or perimeter wall, it will develop cracks due to the force generated from the protruding roots.

Fruit trees
Fruit trees such as mango tree or jackfruit are very nice due to what they bare. However, they are very dangerous especially if planted close to the house or even a perimeter wall. These trees have strong roots that can easily penetrate walls.

Back tree
This is locally known as omutuba, as this back tree grows up, it develops falling roots around the stem area and it is a hub for caterpillars.
Other trees include: Acacia, locally known as gasia, Kabaka anjagala, also known as Aleurites moluccanus or Candlenut, Mvule tree( milicia excelsa), also known as African teak Jacalander (flamboyant red/ purple).

What to consider when choosing trees
Type of tree
Ivan Nkatta, a landscaper, says trees like buruveria terminalia commonly umbrella tree, acacia locally known as gasia, spread their brunches widely, so in extreme wind conditions, the brunches break easily.

Nature of tree type
Jackie Kansiime, a florist, highlights the need to do research about the trees one may need to have before even approaching a florist for some may not tell you facts about a certain type. “Trees like Terminalia (umbrella tree with small leaves) are very good providers of shade but as the sometime harbour caterpillars with may bring discomfort in a home,” she notes. Others trees shade leaves in a certain season hence messing up the whole place, this comes with a lot of work for the cater of the trees.

Type of the soil
Nkatta advices to consider the soil in the compound so as to enable optimal tree growth. You can always find some tree service that helps you in finding the correct type of soils for the tree(s) you want to plant.

The lifespan of the tree
Research at the life span of the tree you want to get according to Kansiime. Some trees that grow very fast tend to be weak or have aggressive roots that may affect your house.

Reasons for having a tree
Is it for just shade, beauty like those that produce different colours in the process of growth, is it for fruits or, they are these reasons that will guide on which tree to pick or buy for the compound.

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