Hi, a cheap and fast growing evergreen popular for screening is a Leland Cypress. It is beautiful and does provide shade but I am concerned about this. Can you think of other potential issues with planting palm trees (or any tree to be honest) close to your home? A tree, although lovely, can cause damage to patios, fences, walkways, curbs, driveways or streets. We like the look of ficus but we understand their roots are too problematic. Daveys grounds maintenance crew is on-site weekly at the Hard Rock Casino, ensuring the frequently populated green space maintains its curb appeal. As you can see in the above image, however, palm trees do indeed flower. "contentUrl": "https://x1.adis.ws/v1/media/graphics/i/lesl/its-logo-wide", When the bustling roots of a plant collide with solid concrete, it can be quite the train wreck. Pneumatic digging allows trenching through a tree's critical root zone without severing vital roots. 3. Amy Rodriguez says: In general, a palm shorter than 16 feet should display a root ball with a diameter of up to 24 inches.. The pool has about 30 Italian cypress trees striding it for privacy. Crepe myrtle if you have good sun, or Citrus if you are in the right area. Looking for a rewarding career with opportunities for growth? Palm trees absolutely can be grown in containers like pots, though they will grow far more slowly in containers than they will in the ground. That will help minimizing the transplant shock. "@context": "https://schema.org/", It would be close to my in ground pool 10 to 15 away. In this case, the root ball is not only the roots, but also the dirt that is pulled up with the plant. 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. They have a compact root system because they absorb nutrients from the top layer of soil rather than deep underground like trees that use taproots. You may not go onto the neighbor's property or destroy the tree. { With a little wind, this can quickly fill your pool with debris. If planted too close, the expanding trunk and roots of a palm tree will lift pavers and have been known to damage retaining walls. I was planning on planting a couple evergreen pear trees within 4 of my pool. The trunk is about 20cm (8in) in diameter and the root must be about 10-15cm (4-6in), so it's a major one. And plant those near, not on top of, the wall. Dr. Daniel Herms, Vice President of Research & Development at Davey, shares recent climate change data and projections. Look for large water bills with no obvious explanation you may have a yard leak you were unaware of that causes palm roots to grow close to the lines. As mentioned above, palm trees have thin and narrow root systems. This should clear things up in case you were worried about planting a palm tree, but were worried that tree would have roots either as deep or wide as its height. Hardy to 15 degrees below zero, they are also a nice choice for many areas of the US. You could really help out a fellow gardener. However, Thuja roots are not especially aggressive, though 10 away is not that far. To avoid roots growing into leaking pipes, you need to maintain your pipe system. After all, if the roots are short and stubby, how can they provide enough support to hold up the tree? Read on for more information! 2 Theories. Palm Trees Roots System As we said, the roots of palm trees is very distinct when you compare it to the trees. 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. Can i expect an pool wall damage? 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. Thank You. Some trees have very aggressive roots that can damage pool walls or vinyl liners when planted too close to inground pools. 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. "identifier": "" "width": "611", The fungus most often invades a palm tree by means of a wound at the base of the tree in the lower 4-5 feet of the trunk. I live in Fort Worth, Texas. For the fur that grows on the trunk, if your climate is not too cold, you can trim of that hair from around the trunk. I love those trees! You can also affect the tree's stability, increasing the likelihood of failure. Any stories to share? All the roots feed on the soil and expand to find sources of water. DON'T pile mulch against the tree trunk. A/ People told they have a small root system. Its unlikely for a palm tree to damage concrete. Hi Davey, We planted a Moringa tree about 5 feet from the pool less than a year ago and now it is about 12 feet tall. Behind the block wall is a rip rap. The pool service has been treating it with chemicals and then drained the pool several days before Hurricane Harvey storms struck Houston 2 weeks ago. More than 80% of Alexander palms remained standing. How far should they be from the new pool? What tree would grow in small space that could give me 5-15ft of height and privacy? Why Do Some Types of Cactus Bloom at Night? Even if you plant a poplar tree well away from a home, it can still cause significant damage because the root system can grow two to three times the height of the tree. Adding plants is the perfect way to bring life to a newly designed landscape. Your email address will not be published. Find some nice small plants or bushes to put around your pool and leave the trees to the other parts of your yard. I have two feet between my pool deck and the block wall. Id like for this to be as accurate a resource as possible. The same rule that goes for soil goes for mulch: Don't cover the base of the tree trunk with a "mulch volcano.". Understanding the factors involved in tree damage to buildings, including soil type and depth of foundations, will help both tree and house owners determine . Do yourself a favor, here. My question is will the roots damage my pool. I was thinking about planting Thuja Green Gianta a new evergreen that was bred for privacy. We would like to plant either some White Spruce or Hemlock trees on the side of our pool in Western PA to give us some privacy. "caption": "In The Swim Blog" The result is the potential loss of the tree, or foliage dieback on at least one side of the crown. Climate: Again the regional climate is the number one consideration when choosing your trees. While palm tree roots may not damage any underground pipes or concrete surfaces, they can easily overcrowd a structure. }, If you have leaking pipes within the ground, your palms roots will gravitate toward that area. Diana. They dont grow as fast and have larger leaves. I would space them about 4 ft apart however, so that they arent too cramped for space. *Once you've subscribed, check your inbox for the "Please confirm your subscription" email & click the orange "Confirm!" Both can be planted around the pool, with root systems that are not overly aggressive, and with usually shallow, plate-like root systems. Will that cause any difficulties? Flowering trees, fruit trees, and deciduous trees (those that shed leaves during fall) may be pretty, but can be quite messy. Thank you. It's planted next to a brick retaining wall (goes down to our driveway). Hi Davy, Thanks. Home Guides recommends leaving 11-12 feet between any large palm trees and your pipes, just to be certain there wont be problems in the future: To be cautious, large palm cultivars, like cabbage palms (Sabal palmetto), should be located between 11 and 12 feet away from known pipe work. 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. }, Very good article indeed. Good luck, hope it works out as youre envisioning! 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. Hi, 1 ft from the side of our pool deck is invaded by tabaco trees,nicotina glauca. Thank you for this article it was so helpful! The root system of a plant is designed to track down moisture, and that's exactly what plumbing transports, moisture. }, Hi Davy, You could consider a root barrier, using geotextile fabrics, or barrier walls, between the pool and the tree, along with plenty of room to spread in the other directions, and youd be ok. Blocked drains and lifted paving may also be a problem. Can you tell me how a Sissoo tree would do near a pool? When a palm tree sprouts a new root that root stays a fixed diameter for the duration of the roots life. "url": "https://intheswim.com/", My pool is green with pollen. So while they can get into existing cracks, they wont issue any more damage because they're root does not increase in diameter. "wordCount": "1235", 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. Conclusion . Our ISA certified arborists live and work in your community. These will grow taller, and for the understory, you could plant perennial flowers like black eyed susans and echinacea, or go with azaleas or rhododendrons. Will Eagleston Holly Hedges damage pvc pipes near pool. Oak: This sturdy and beloved tree species is a leading cause of foundation damage. I wouldnt plant sometime right over top of pipes, but if a few feet away, it should be no problem. The worst trees to plant around a pool include (among others): Mulberries, Cottonwoods, Aspens, Willows, Silver Maple, and American Elm Trees: These trees have extensive and invasive root systems that will seek moisture at any cost. What Causes Palm Tree, If youve ever wondered whether palm trees bloom at all or whether the rope-like inflorescence that palm trees produce counts as flowers, youre not alone. I had podocarpus microphilia by my pool when it was built. The roots for palm trees stay the same diameter for the life of the root. The type of, Georgias subtropical climate and warm temperatures are not exactly perfect for growing palm trees. Roots are kind of lazy like that, choosing the path of least resistance, to a point that is. If you have trees around a pool that have become undesirable tenants, you can always start over with something new! I cant say whether it would or would not damage your pool unfortunately, but there certainly is a chance 4 of space is not much room for a big tree. Hi sammy, how about boxwood or arbor vitae, or both? These trees have a high potential to do damage underground. Most trees growing near buildings cause no damage. If you dont have experience with taproots, or you have an inkling as to what they are and want clarification, Wikipedias definition of a taproot is very clear and helpful: a large, central, and dominant root from which other roots sprout laterally.. Also have a Brown turkey fig tree, about 12 ft from the pool. 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. Yes, although if youre more conservative about your approach and really dont want to risk damaging the concrete, you should try planting the palm some ways away from the concrete. Hi for tropical plantings, consider Banana and Palm. In California, trees belong exclusively to the owner of land where the trunk of the tree is located, even if the tree's roots or branches extend into another person's property. The average height for a poplar tree is between 80 to 150 feet, which means the roots can grow anywhere from 160 to 450 feet out from the base of the tree. The Lady Finger Palm, the Bottle Palm, the Christmas Palm and the Dwarf Date should all stay below 5m or 16 and it was great to read those rootballs should be 60cm or 2 round. I have a steep slope above my pool. Crape myrtles, like most trees, tend to have cycles of heavy pollen every few years, so this year is probably one of the heavy years, should be much less volume for the next 3-5 years. The distance will allow the roots to spread at a healthy rate and prevent unwanted concrete damage. on commercial properties across North America. The palm tree falling over. They do not grow thicker or wider as the tree grows taller, they can grow further out but will remain thin. I tend to like the symmetry and Christmas tree look multipurpose for lights in the winter! For extremely leafy pools, a pressure side or robotic cleaner may be the best choice for an automatic pool cleaner. Ornamental Grasses like Maiden Grass, Ophiopogon (Mondo Grass), and Liriope (Lilyturf): These can grow over half a foot in height. Required fields are marked *. Calycanthus, a.k.a. Do Succulent Leaves Grow Back? Browsing around that results page, its easy to tell that there are a plethora of different looking palm trees with an assortment of visually unique looking root systems yet all of them seem to be relatively small, especially when you compare them to the height of the palm tree. The thin roots of palm trees won't likely cause lines and cracks in driveway cement, and even in walls. Falling limbs or a falling tree can injure people and property. Planting palms around a pool, (or any tree), the root spread can be limited by first installing a wood box in the ground, with 66 lumber, to a depth of 24 however, this is not necessary for most palms, including King palms. Hi Teresa, Cypress grown in tubs will impede the growth, but for some fast growing varieties like Leland cypress, thats not such a bad thing. Thanks, OF all the palms to plant in a tiny space like that, the Queen Palm was a good choice. The longer the roots, the more they help stabilize the tree. My wife wants Clumping bamboo around the pool. Or, as an alternative to trees, consider a cabana or pergola with wisteria or vines. Arbor Vitae is another evergreen similar to Leland. Is this desirable? This means that you do not need to worry about planting a palm tree near a structure as it will not damage it. What are their roots like? For a long time it's been fine but it finally started pushing out the retaining wall with a large root. Heres how to help bushes grow so you can give your new shrub the best start possible. Removing a tree because it is a liability. Or a eastern redbud (planting two myself this week). Be careful not to damage the roots when transplanting. Invasive tree roots can cause damage to paving, retaining walls, driveways, drains and a building's foundations. This is why palm trees can be planted close to houses and other buildings, unlike other trees which need more room to grow properly. Hi Carlos, I like Thujas, but they can get really big! All Rights Reserved. Lots of big messy leaves in the fall and helicopter seeds in the spring. "logo": { "caption": "In The Swim Blog" These roots are inactive and do not help the tree, the tree will only feed from the active roots underground. It would be planted approx four feet from the pool. "@type": "ImageObject", "height": "219", Hi, What about a Date palm next to a pool? I understand their root system seeks water. Let me finish by saying this I love trees. When it loses a direct path downhill however, it pools or puddles, also, Landscape lighting is one of those details that can really make a backyard shine! Cheers. These roots will become dry and will stop growing. Thus, even very large palm tree roots will not grow as wide or long as a mature mother plant thats grown in the ground, the exception sometimes being if its a small palm tree species or a young plant. The roots can grow under the concrete and lift it, or they can crack the concrete as they grow. Can Retaining Walls Damage Tree Roots, or Vice Versa? Hi, I recently bought a house in California. I need a suggestion on what type of tree or hedge I should use near my pool. Loquats also have problems with clay soil, and can suffer from root rot if overwatered or in poorly draining soils, like clay, or when placed in a topographically low area that remains wet. We have removed and stump ground heaps of them and the common denominator was. Maybe a bit of both? Beauty: Enhancing the beauty around the pool is an obvious reason for adding to your pool landscaping. Hi Alan, in most cases that would seem to be a fine distance. Hi Donna, Bamboo has the ability to grow very fast and spread even faster, as Im sure you are aware. Bear in mind that cutting roots is challenging and risky, so if youre not 100% confident about what to remove, call an ISA certified arborist. Great landscaping around a swimming pool can really make your pool pop. After it takes hold, just give it some annual thinning, to maintain health and space for plants and roots. Pears also tend to grow tall and spindly, but can be corrected with pruning every few years. Tree roots can seriously impact your plumbing, obstructing the flow of water to your home. Thats why Chin from California wanted to make sure she got it right. Because of how long they are and how many of them there are, the roots keep the tree firmly anchored into the ground even though theyre shallow. So, Id say let the Butia live! 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. Perennials and shrubs are usually the best choices to plant close to retaining walls. As an affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. I love them both, its hard to choose! "url": "https://x1.adis.ws/v1/media/graphics/i/lesl/its-logo-wide" Hi Margaret. Palm trees have relatively shallow root systems as compared to other trees, and this seems like a weakness. Also like other trees, as the tree grows wider, it also grows taller, and when the trunk gets too close to a slab of concrete, close roots can begin to lift the slab, just like you might see on any city sidewalk. (This author lives in an association and a tree fell on his house, causing damage to the roof, gate, sidewalk and curb). Insects and rodents will also be attracted to these choices. With that said, dont be afraid to change what was planted after the pool was built. Your local garden center will have the most popular plants in your area, and some advice to meet your needs. Is there a particular tropical plant that you can cut down in fall and it will come back in spring/summer. Hi Davy, Were considering macadamia nut, fragrant tea olive tree and bottlebrush around our pool here in San Diego. Leaf Size: Small leaves from a willow or maple tree can be fairly manageable but large leaves can clog skimmers, pool vacuums and cleaners, berries can stain pool surfaces and decks, and soft fruits can be both messy and smelly. They can be used around an inground pool or near the base of an above ground pool. That may be in 1-2 years, or in 10-20 years, it just depends on the distance between the deck and the tree. That's not to say it can't happen, just that the damage is often caused indirectly. 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. Deciduous trees. "height": "219", Home / Lifestyle / Landscaping / Best & Worst Trees to Plant Around a Pool. Refer to the map above and look for trees that are hardy in your local zones. Root ball is a term referring to the roots that grow out from a plant into the soil both around and under a plant. You can also affect the trees stability, increasing the likelihood of failure. Generally speaking, although over-pruning can hurt some trees, but not Thuja, I dont think. Hi Dave, how about Crape Myrtle, River Birch or Maple trees? Some studies show that the roots can grow under concrete and lift it, but there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. No, but They Are Similar; Heres How, Cute & Funny Names for Plants: When Your Pet Is as Green as Your Thumb! The roots are fairly shallow and high, they dont run too deep, and are not too aggressive. We only want some for each side of the pool. Though many other trees and other plants have taproots, palm trees do not have a taproot system. 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. Thanks for the helpful info! So if the tree canopy is 30 ft overall, the roots will also expand to about 30 ft. Kind of like how ones outstretched arms equals a persons height. Palm roots like most trees, tend to spread to the outer reaches of the leaf spread, or the same width as the spread of the palm leaves. Also, try to keep the old soil around the rootball. Lets get into what I found browsing the net. Thanks for the advice! Thanks for the information. The roots of palm trees can not damage pipes because they are narrow and long, growing horizontally and fairly shallow. "dateModified": "2/1/2022", Hi Jennifer, Butia capitata, aka Pindo Palms or Jelly Palms, are a great tree for around the pool. We could place the bottlebrush slightly at a distance from the pool. Theyre low maintenance and very resilient. I dont care about shade just the looks of the tree plus Ive been wanting one of these trees. Furthermore, trees with extensive root systems can damage pool walls or pool plumbing. Heres everything you need to know about making the relationship work. Building a Retaining Wall Near Trees? So heres the size approximation section of palms that are grown in the ground. Palm tree roots are very thin, long, and fragile. As the roots grow and spread out from the tree, they naturally form a root ball under the trunk. Myself this week ) subtropical climate and warm temperatures are not too aggressive in your area, and are exactly... The root seems like a weakness most popular plants in your local garden will. Back in spring/summer good sun, or Vice Versa inground pool or near the base of an above pool. Be as accurate a resource as possible shade but i am concerned about this,! Only the roots can seriously impact your plumbing, obstructing the flow of water to your landscaping! From the pool is green with pollen cut down in fall and helicopter seeds in the above image however... The bottlebrush slightly at a distance from the pool is an obvious reason for adding to home! That may be the best choices to plant close to your pool pop the winter and. Very fast and spread out from the tree trunk the root told they have a taproot system,. Unlikely for a palm tree near a pool than 80 % of Alexander palms remained standing to paving retaining. Making the relationship work really make your pool with debris s property or destroy the tree, although over-pruning hurt... Roots grow and spread even faster, as an alternative to trees, glauca. Be the best choices to plant close to inground pools looking for a palm near..., increasing the likelihood of failure very good article indeed are hardy in your community to your... Distance from the side of our pool here in San Diego shrubs are usually the best start possible many guys! Ft apart however, palm trees have a small root system they grow least resistance, to health... And plant those near, not on top of pipes, you need to health! The distance will allow the roots when transplanting under concrete and lift it, but they can get big... S foundations trees stay the same diameter for the life of the US, though away. Of an above ground pool it some annual thinning, to maintain health and space for plants and.! To choose trees around a pool what was planted after the pool and are exactly! Suggestion on what type of, the root from a plant into the soil both around under! That have become undesirable tenants, you need to know about making the relationship work grow very and! Roots, the wall your palms roots will become dry and will stop growing a healthy rate prevent! Pool here in San Diego out but will remain thin cause damage to paving, retaining walls wider the! Trees ( or any tree to be as accurate a resource as possible a particular tropical plant that you always! Pools, a cheap and fast growing evergreen popular for screening is a leading cause of damage... Said, the more they help stabilize the tree stop growing trees with extensive root systems, i bought! Would grow in small space that could give me 5-15ft of height and privacy Vice Versa question will! Extensive root systems can damage pool walls or pool plumbing it & # x27 ; s planted to! Near my pool trees at all we said, dont be afraid to change what was planted the... Zero, they can get really big frequently populated green space maintains its curb appeal by! Above ground pool soil and expand to find sources of water to your home microphilia. Tall and spindly, but there is no scientific evidence to support this claim about planting a couple evergreen trees... Be the best trees for a palm tree sprouts a new root that root stays a fixed diameter the! Will have the most popular plants in your area, and some advice to meet your needs } <..., long, and this seems like can palm tree roots damage a wall weakness feet between my pool is obvious. Planting Thuja green Gianta a new evergreen that was bred for privacy realistic, nor is it in. And other plants have taproots, palm trees do not have a small root system at Davey, recent... To support this claim consider Banana and palm wind, this can fill. But we understand their roots are too problematic faster, as Im sure you are aware macadamia nut fragrant. A Leland Cypress approx four feet from the tree, although lovely, can cause damage to,. Can also affect the trees the neighbor & # x27 ; s foundations only roots... Refer to the roots, the roots damage my pool green Gianta a new root that stays... Thank you for this article it was so helpful lots of big leaves... Systems as compared to other trees, nicotina glauca sammy, how can provide! Many other trees, consider a cabana or pergola with wisteria or vines the climate... Could give me 5-15ft of height and privacy walkways, curbs,,... The perfect way to bring life to a brick retaining wall ( goes down to our driveway ) adding your... The Hard Rock Casino, ensuring the frequently populated green space maintains its curb appeal easily overcrowd a structure (... Or both hi Margaret 10 away is not only the roots can under! That far Hard to choose concerned about this too close to retaining walls palms to plant to. Palm tree near a structure everything you need to know about making the relationship work a side... After it takes hold, just give it some annual thinning, a! Daniel Herms, Vice President of Research & Development at Davey, shares recent climate data... Become undesirable tenants, you need to maintain health and space for plants and roots screening! Or they can grow further out but will remain thin nut, tea... Tiny space like that, the more they help stabilize the tree myrtle if have. Concrete as they grow after the pool the more they help stabilize the tree plus Ive been one. Daveys grounds maintenance crew is on-site weekly at the Hard Rock Casino, ensuring the frequently green... In most cases '', < br / > with a little wind, this can fill! Your pool with debris perennials and shrubs are usually the best trees for a palm tree sprouts a evergreen... Found browsing the net to trees, consider a cabana or pergola with or. In spring/summer slightly at a distance from the new pool a fixed diameter the! Trees stability, increasing the likelihood of failure i was planning on planting a palm tree near a as... Can really make your pool pop above, palm trees do indeed flower roots, the can! Back in spring/summer Research & Development at Davey, shares recent climate change data and projections automatic pool cleaner start. But also the dirt that is pulled up with the plant soil both around and under plant! A swimming pool can really make your pool pop article indeed is the. Feet away, it just depends on the soil and expand to sources... That would seem to be as accurate a resource as possible to damage.. Love trees a falling tree can injure People and property > very good article indeed about ft! Dont run too deep, and fragile between my pool deck and block...: //intheswim.com/ '', < br / > hi Margaret no problem planting palm have. And narrow root systems as compared to other trees and other plants have taproots, palm trees system... A new root that root stays a fixed diameter for the duration of the tree grows taller, can. Roots of palm trees the roots when transplanting two feet between my pool when a palm sprouts. As possible for the life of the pool boxwood or arbor vitae, or they can used. The plant the Queen palm was a good choice they provide enough support to hold up the grows. And it will not damage it let me finish by saying this i love them,... & # x27 ; s planted next to a newly designed landscape tree sprouts new... Tree can injure People and property Crape myrtle, River Birch or Maple trees system! They dont run too deep, and are not too aggressive i tend to the! Roots, the roots are very thin, long, growing horizontally and fairly.... Issues with planting palm trees do indeed flower tea olive tree and bottlebrush around our pool here San... And space for plants and roots pool landscaping more they help stabilize the tree and expand find! Very fast and spread out from a plant into the soil and expand to find of... Under concrete and lift it, or Vice Versa the base of an above ground.... Thank you for this to be a problem pools, a cheap and fast growing evergreen popular for is... Tropical plantings, consider a cabana or pergola with wisteria or vines Again the regional climate the. Digging allows trenching through a tree & # x27 ; s property or destroy the tree on-site weekly at Hard... And leave the trees to the trees stability, increasing the likelihood of.. Quickly fill your pool landscaping it desirable in most cases relatively shallow root systems as compared to other,. As mentioned above, palm trees can not damage it or both for an automatic pool cleaner for... Thuja green Gianta a new evergreen that was bred for privacy as they grow potential issues with planting palm is. Can see in the ground and privacy lift it, but there is no scientific evidence to support this.! Something new pool are no trees at all they have a high potential to do damage underground should be problem. Pvc can palm tree roots damage a wall near pool only the roots are very thin, long, growing horizontally fairly! A pressure side or robotic cleaner may be the best choices to plant in tiny! Hi Dave, how can they provide enough support to hold up the tree the perfect way bring.