'I'm a professional gardener - there are 5 trees I'd never plant in my garden ever again'

When you want to add a bit more dimension and greenery to your garden, trees are brilliant for this. There are so many different types to choose from, all with their own unique appeal and style depending on what look you want to go for.

However, one gardening expert has urged people not to make the same mistakes he did when adding trees to his garden. Edward Bowring, plant pro from Homes and Gardens, says not all trees are suitable for your back or front garden. He's named the five he would never plant again, due to the potential damage that they can cause.

He said: "Aggressive and invasive root systems, adventurous suckers, self-seeding and even toxicity are just some of the issues I have had to manage over my career as a professional gardener."

1. Staghorn sumac

Coming in the form of either a shrub or a small tree, this plant may turn a gorgeous burnt orange colour in the autumn - but according to the expert, it has a 'suckering' habit and can out-compete other foliage in your garden.

It can spread via seeds, blocking out competing plants and overrunning a small garden, so it might be best to avoid planting these.

2. Cherry laurel

These dense evergreen plants are very fast-growing, making them great for adding privacy to your garden. But proceed with caution - they can also grow too big and block out the light for other plants if they're too close.

Not only this, but they are toxic to pets and humans too. Edward warned: "With memories of arduously hand-pruning great lengths of laurel hedging so as not to leave an untidy finish at a previous garden I managed, it is certainly a tree I would never plant again."

3. Black walnut

Despite how beautiful and striking this tree may be, you might not want to plant it in your garden. The expert says it requires an awful lot of work, including regular pruning, even in the winter.

Rhe black walnut tree also produces a chemical called juglone, which is toxic to many plants. Pair this with the mess this tree makes by dropping fruit in the garden, and it's probably not worth it.

4. Weeping willow

This dreamy, fairytale-like tree is perfect for adding a shady spot to your garden. But if you've got a small space, you may not want to bother - according to the expert, it can grow and spready up to 50ft.

Its quick growth and huge moisture-seeking root system, which can destroy underground plumbing, means it's not ideal for planting close to a house.

5. English oak

Finally, this strong and sturdy tree is perfect for attracting wildlife and adding shade to a garden. But similar to the weeping willow, they need a lot of space and should never be planted in a small garden.

They need a lot of pruning to keep them healthy and stop branches from falling down, and you'll need to spent a long time in the autumn clearing away fallen acorns and leaves.

As well as this, its roots spread far and wide, and can cause damage to pavements and driveways.