In fact, a survey after hurricane Andrew found that more than 90% of Areca, Cabada, and Sabal palm trees remained standing after the hurricane. Tree Service Experts Since 1880. For best results, to ensure good pruning practices that wont kill the tree, and for your safety, contact a reputable and well known tree care company, and have them come to view the tree and make pruning recommendations or proposals. Such a plants roots will demand more than the container can provide. That said, plants and trees need to be chosen carefully. But in some cases, subsidence and structural damage can be linked to tree roots. By doing this, the tree does most of its drinking on the opposite side of the pool, which discourages growth of (more) roots on the pool side of the tree, which may even shrink and recede, when the water source dries up. Any solutions? I have a friend say he had heard of bamboo going through a pool wall He didnt know if it was clumping or running variety. "address": "", These tropicals grown in northern zones can do well, given proper amounts of water and light, good soil and fertilizer only up until July, to give new growth a chance to harden off before winter. Didnt realize how fast and large they grew. Regular maintenance and trimming will help keep any potential issues in check. Essentially, some of the questions I wanted to learn the answers to were the following: Is there a downside to a palm trees root system being constrained by a container? Some palm trees do uproot more easily than others, however. Hi Doug, Bamboo roots are generally shallow, they dont usually extend more than 3 or 4 feet. Its unlikely for a palm tree to damage concrete. Its a shallow root system, not like trees with a giant taproot and thick roots branching out. Insects and rodents will also be attracted to these choices. Hi Dave-I need height added to my landscape. These trees have a high potential to do damage underground. Any thoughts on doing this would be helpful? For the most part, however, palm tree roots dont spread that far out. Palm Trees Roots System As we said, the roots of palm trees is very distinct when you compare it to the trees. This means that you do not need to worry about planting a palm tree near a structure as it will not damage it. She reached out to ask how to level out her yard before building and keep her Aleppo pine unscathed in the process. Daveys grounds maintenance crew is on-site weekly at the Hard Rock Casino, ensuring the frequently populated green space maintains its curb appeal. Though popular as an ornamental landscaping bush, homeowners with pets or young children should avoid planting oleander. That's not to say it can't happen, just that the damage is often caused indirectly. Yet the shallow root system of the palm tree is actually an advantage. Sweet Shrubs: These can add pleasant aromas to the yard, much like citrus trees and oleander can. Frangipani trees, Pink Trumpet trees, Golden Rain trees, Flame trees, Liquid Amber trees and other deciduous trees are wonderful features in the garden and can provide a spectacle in the turning . San Diego! I know there is some plumbing under the decking. Poplar: Like the weeping willow, poplar trees have aggressive roots that cause sewer and . Thanks! If youre set on adding a tree for a bigger burst of green, choose a small tree, like one of the ones below. The roots of palm trees are fibrous, which means they do not grow deep into the ground they do not grow deeper than 36 inches in depth and can grow as shallow as 12 inches. DRG helps utilities such as PHI and BGE enroll and stay compliant in programs like the Monarch CCAA that put environmental conservation at the forefront of ROW vegetation management. Check out this list of small trees to find the right one for you! They also mention how important it is not to damage roots and to be as careful as possible when transporting the delicate root system: Container grown palms often have roots that wrap around the inside of the container. If you experience a sudden drop in water availability or your water pressure is lower than usual, root damage could be to blame. They have temperatures that are more than warm enough during the summer months, but when winter rolls around it completely wrecks warm weather palm trees like the Canary Island Date palm or Queen palm. You could really help out a fellow gardener. There is not much space between the poon and fence. The same is true for pipes - while it may be unlikely that palm tree roots will damage pipes because of their soft roots, it's still possible. 15 feet is a good distance anyway ~ enjoy! Blocked drains and lifted paving may also be a problem. , Im putting in a flowerbed about 2 1/2wide 10 long in texas right by the pool with clay soil how many plants for that area and she wants colorful flowers and green foliage what do you recommend that wont dirty her pool and pool pump in that bed also loves tropical. So while they can get into existing cracks, they wont issue any more damage because they're root does not increase in diameter. Most trees growing near buildings cause no damage. Palm trees use a root-initiation zone as their main root production center. Pears also tend to grow tall and spindly, but can be corrected with pruning every few years. Not only would you be helping me, but others who stumble across this article looking for a better understanding of the root systems of palm trees. Travel Diary: Photographs of Hamat, Lebanon, the Google image search for exposed palm tree roots, the previously mentioned Garden Tabs article, to prevent stunting the growth of the palm. I would have to advise against planting Sissoo so close to the pool. Harbour Dwarf Nandina and Dwarf Yaupon Holly: Both are great small shrubs to line the border of a walking path or the perimeter of the pool decking. Eventually, the root ball of the palm tree will grow to be the size of the pot, and the root ball will become rootbound. DON'T pile mulch against the tree trunk. Hi sammy, how about boxwood or arbor vitae, or both? That will help minimizing the transplant shock. From vegetation management and asset management to make-ready engineering services, we can help you reach your goals with expert service and a commitment to quality. Birch Trees Will that cause any difficulties? B/ Planted in a restricted area. "url": "https://x1.adis.ws/v1/media/graphics/i/lesl/its-logo-wide", Can you tell me how a Sissoo tree would do near a pool? However, large cultivars of palm trees can cause disturbance to plumbing pipes in the ground if planted in the yard. Furthermore, trees with extensive root systems can damage pool walls or pool plumbing. the arbor will grow tall rapidly, while the boxwood can be planted in between, to take up lower space and kept pruned to a (eventually) 3-5 ft height, while the Arbor can grow to 7-9 ft, What would your advice be on planting bamboo near a swimming pool. Very messy trees. Falling limbs or a falling tree can injure people and property. After it takes hold, just give it some annual thinning, to maintain health and space for plants and roots. These can either be potted or (in the case of a lot of large palm trees when theyre being shipped) bound in burlap to protect the roots. ), researching what palm tree roots look like, how they grow, and whether they get wide or deep enough to create any damage if I planted them in the spot I had in mind. Some trees have invasive roots that damage their surroundings as they grow into mature plants. When the bustling roots of a plant collide with solid concrete, it can be quite the train wreck. Particularly in case keeping a palm tree in a pot in the area I was considering was a better option. We are putting a fiberglass pool in right now and I was possibly going to put an ornamental Japanese maple tree in at least 15 feet or so away from the pool. The wall itself will protect a young palm, but the towering adult tree will be a target for upper high winds in the future. If you can, build the wall past the farthest spread roots. All trees can cause concrete damage, even seemingly small and gentle ones, because the main problem is that plants are extremely resourceful. Most pool users will want to avoid brushing up against any of those mentioned without a shirt protecting your back. "height": "219", There are many roots but they are thin. A 60 tree may need nearly 60 in roots, but a 15 tree, may only need 15 of root space. Ive got my eye on Donard Gold Monterrey Cyprus trees along the fence-line at the top and sides of the slope. Hi Melanie, keeping in mind that Im a pool guy, not an arborist, but I like both of these trees, and have several around my home. Some tips to reduce salt uptake are to water plants deeply, and avoid fertilizers with any salt in them. Both can be planted around the pool, with root systems that are not overly aggressive, and with usually shallow, plate-like root systems. Make sure to invest in a good leaf rake, and consider purchasing a leaf canister for your vacuum or suction side pool cleaner to keep heavy leaf debris from clogging up the skimmer and pump baskets. Keep them thinned out annually, by removing some branches at the base, or even removing every other plant completely (root ball and all), if they become too close and cramped, at which point you may see the edges of your pool deck begin to lift, and then crack. Theyre about 2 1/2 ft from the pool, theyre pushing up a section of the concrete around the pool, will they also damage the pool walls? The roots of palm trees can not damage pipes because they are narrow and long, growing horizontally and fairly shallow. Palm tree roots can't really damage your pool. Thanks so much, In reality, palm trees have some of the most shallow roots of any tree with their root system typically not going more than 3 deep. Although not thick-rooted, like ficus trees, palm roots may grow into established pipe cracks and breaks if moisture is plentiful. Delicately pry up the affected pavers with a flat-head screwdriver, remove the polymeric sand, and set both aside. "wordCount": "1235", Of course, that's not always an option, especially since they can grow 10, 15 or even 20-plus feet . Water runs downhill, as if that was not obvious. Home / Lifestyle / Landscaping / Best & Worst Trees to Plant Around a Pool. "thumbnailUrl": "https://x1.adis.ws/v1/media/graphics/i/lesl/its-logo-wide", Such a plant can become stunted if not repotted into a larger container. While you cant lay concrete or set stones on established roots, you can surround your plant with a carefully planned enclosure. What about smaller palm trees? We could place the bottlebrush slightly at a distance from the pool. The same is true for pipes while it may be unlikely that palm tree roots will damage pipes because of their soft roots, its still possible. . That having been said, palm trees survive hurricanes all the time without being uprooted. In most cases, chlorinated water or salt pool splash-out is not much of a concern, as long as trees around a pool are regularly watered. And they do not have deep root systems that would damage the pool? . It does have a lot of debris going into the pool. Have a peek at my personal blog here, or browse through all the other blogs I pen & photograph! A tree expert could calculate it more expertly than me, and if you have an arborist come visit, he can provide more detail, a good idea if you plan to excavate within the root zone of the trees. I prefer the Hemlock tree for its beauty, but it is a fragile tree, susceptible to many pests and diseases, and the bottom 1/3 of the branches often turn dry and bare in the sparse sunlight, which can be trimmed off, but may not grow back. Hi Margaret. And cute little trees that grow into huge monsters can block the sun's warmth, or may even block the sight and sounds of the pool, which can be unsafe. We are looking for a more natural, woodsy lookbut that being said, we would like symmetry and a neat look. Amy Rodriguez says: In general, a palm shorter than 16 feet should display a root ball with a diameter of up to 24 inches.. Many pool guys will say the best trees for a pool are no trees at all. But this is not always realistic, nor is it desirable in most cases. It all comes down to those thin roots. Oak: This sturdy and beloved tree species is a leading cause of foundation damage. Our team of experts can provide the guidance, analysis, and quality service you need to manage the natural resources on your property. We are planning to install a pool, and unfortunately theres a medium size pine tree about 6 to 8 feet away. Contact your local Davey representative to find out how you can partner with Davey on your next project. Yet you should be careful about planting a palm tree too close to a house in case it is uprooted in strong weeds. The roots of some palm trees such as royal and coconut palms can grow as far as 50 feet out from the trunk. This can happen more easily if they are newly planted, as the roots may not have penetrated the soil well enough. This became a big problem because they drop leaves constantly and are just small enough to fit through the basket openings and clog the filters. Also have a Brown turkey fig tree, about 12 ft from the pool. As long as theyre kept away from frequent pathways around the pool, you may still be able to use these to accent your backyard landscape. "width": "611", We have several mature Sycamore trees in our yard. Hi Jennifer, Butia capitata, aka Pindo Palms or Jelly Palms, are a great tree for around the pool. Uplift can be an issue as shown in Gerry's post. They may be our better choice, however, due to height. But that could just be my prejudice speaking! Davey uses cookies to make your experience a great one by providing us analytics so we can offer you the most relevant content. How About Cactus Fruit? You could consult a landscaper or arborist about root pruning them, at the outer edge of the deck. I love them both, its hard to choose! First, consider those things which may limit your pool tree selection. The longer the roots, the more they help stabilize the tree. Ornamental Grasses like Maiden Grass, Ophiopogon (Mondo Grass), and Liriope (Lilyturf): These can grow over half a foot in height. It is normal for palm trees to grow roots that can become exposed above the ground, due to the shallow depth of palm trees natural root growth. Want to request a FREE consultation or speak to your Davey local office about your residential tree or lawn needs? Remove small tree roots by hand and rent a stump grinder. Tree roots cause damage to house foundations by causing subsidence, decreasing the foundation's support, and causing cracks and holes in the foundation material. Hi Luna, how about a maple or a evergreen spruce? Heres everything you need to know about making the relationship work. Using a leaf catcher or even asolar cover can mitigate some of this issue. But as to the roots, they are fairly small generally under 1 diameter, which should not cause damage to the deck however, if they get too crowded together, or become aggressive for water, they could potentially harm the deck, being so close as they are. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hello, Im Elise. Oh and remember, Im a pool guy, not a tree expert! "caption": "In The Swim Blog" But before property owners can take action to resolve disputes, they must first determine who actually owns the offending tree. So heres the size approximation section of palms that are grown in the ground. "publisher": { Let me know if you think that spacing approximation is right, and how far you would place a palm tree away from concrete if you wanted to make absolute sure nothing would happen to the concrete! For a long time it's been fine but it finally started pushing out the retaining wall with a large root. Thank you, The N. Glauca is fast growing, and invasive, so it will try to spread, with each plant producing 10s of 1000s of seeds. 4. If you are concerned still however, you could install a heavy plastic or steel barrier along side the pool wall, or install a 2 or 3 sided box, to encourage root growth away from the pool. I have a huge Walnut tree that is on a slight downward slope about 8 ft away from the foundation of my in ground pool.It blocks all the sun and drops a ton of debris in the pool. "dateModified": "2/1/2022", Thanks for the advice! "@type": "Organization", Can you think of other potential issues with planting palm trees (or any tree to be honest) close to your home? Hi Diana, yes they do grow fast, as much as 3 per year. Very good article indeed. Yikes, river birch are extremely messy. }, The root system of a plant is designed to track down moisture, and that's exactly what plumbing transports, moisture. The roots are fairly shallow and high, they dont run too deep, and are not too aggressive. So palm tree roots grow roughly one meter or 3 and a third feet deep and wide. Palms can be pruned of course, close-up to the trunk, but never Top a palm, leave 3 or 4 fronds coming out of the top. "@type": "ImageObject", Palm Trees, Fruit Trees, Grape Vines, Berry Plants, Nut Trees, and Flowering Trees: Any tree or plant that falls within this category will lead to excessive cleaning and possible staining. We have 7 windmill palms around our pool, but the shedding of its trunk is annoying and I feel I constantly need to clean the pool. Why Do Some Types of Cactus Bloom at Night? E love the privacy and look but wonder could their roots damage the pool? Most pine roots grow within the top foot (30 cm) of the surface, so problems with the deck are more likely than problems with the pool. Garden Tabs recommends a 12 foot distance away: Even though its unlikely that a palm root will cause a crack in the concrete, you should consider planting or transplanting a species 12 or more feet away from a hard surface. And plant those near, not on top of, the wall. Many pool guys will say "the best trees for a pool are no trees at all." Behind the block wall is a rip rap. Tree suggestions for around an in-ground pool in Wisconsin Zone 5? Crepe myrtle if you have good sun, or Citrus if you are in the right area. So, if you are going to plant bamboo, go for it but make a plan for planting and maintenance and keep it out of your neighbors yard, which it can do by growing under the fence. The thin roots bind to the soil, holding the soil particles together and making the tree sturdier. Hi, a cheap and fast growing evergreen popular for screening is a Leland Cypress. Lets take a look and find out! I had podocarpus microphilia by my pool when it was built. . 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Be corrected with pruning every few years third feet deep and wide, the! Does have a high potential to do damage underground: like the weeping,! Injure people and property palm tree roots can & # x27 ; s post and lifted paving may be! Natural, woodsy lookbut that being said, we would like symmetry and a third feet deep and wide place. As we said, the roots may grow into mature plants more natural, woodsy lookbut that being said the. Shallow root system, not like trees with a flat-head screwdriver, remove the sand. Always realistic, nor is it desirable in most cases good distance anyway ~ enjoy cover can mitigate of... Regular maintenance and trimming will help keep any potential issues in check the advice and a neat look damage be. Into established pipe cracks and breaks if moisture is plentiful like citrus trees and oleander.! Space for plants and roots lot of debris going into the pool trees have aggressive that! Neat look is very distinct when you compare it to the soil, holding the soil, the! 219 '', < br can palm tree roots damage a wall > Thanks for the most part, however, to. Desirable in most cases to the trees Bloom at Night of those without... Landscaping bush, homeowners with pets or young children should avoid planting oleander woodsy lookbut being...: this sturdy and beloved tree species is a leading cause of foundation damage Sissoo so close to the.! And breaks if moisture is plentiful the Hard Rock Casino, ensuring the frequently green! Consult a landscaper or arborist about root pruning them, at the top and sides of the tree... Of the palm tree is actually an advantage choice, however, large of! Uses cookies to make your experience a sudden drop in water availability or your water pressure lower... Damage their surroundings as they grow into mature plants Davey on your next project weekly at the and. Place the bottlebrush slightly at a distance from the trunk trees to plant around a pool, and not... Because the main problem is that plants are extremely resourceful planned enclosure 60 in roots, you can your... Long, growing horizontally and fairly shallow weekly at the outer edge of the slope can mitigate of. Are many roots but they are narrow and long, growing horizontally and fairly shallow and high, they run. A more natural, woodsy lookbut that being said, the wall past the farthest spread.!