Tree #4: Wrong Tree, Wrong Place

Many people plant trees without thought to eventual size or nearby structures or utilities. This is why we eventually have ended up with so many trees with awful utility pruning. Here are two examples.These conifers were planted probably because of their tall upright form, adding formality and framing the driveway well. Either the power lines were not there when the trees were planted, or no one thought of the trouble the trees would cause when they grew tall enough to interfere with the lines.
The trees have been practically shaved down one side, drastically reducing their live crown ratio (from 80% to about 50%), and they have also lost a lot of their value. They're also just not so nice to look at anymore.

This Horse Chestnut is another great example of the wrong tree being in the wrong place. As you can see, a deep 'U' shape was cut into this tree when it was about two feet shorter, as the power lines now go directly through the center of the tree. This tree now not only looks bad, but has lost a good portion of its photosynthesizing machine (the leaves!). This also could have been avoided by paying attention to the utilities surrounding the tree and finding the truly best spot for your desired tree before planting.