The Best and Worst Trees to Plant Near Your Pool
Published July 19, 2022
The landscaping surrounding your pool can really make it pop. First, however, you must carefully pick out the plants you’re going to place around your swimming pool.
The reason is that some trees produce more litter, pollen, and budding debris that can dirty your pool and mess with its plumbing system.
Furthermore, trees with vast root systems can damage your pool’s plumbing or walls while growing. On top of that, such trees grow so big that they block the sun’s warmth.
So what are the best trees to plant around a pool? Many experts say that it’s best to have no trees at all. That way, you won’t have to go through any maintenance hassles they cause.
Needless to say, this isn’t always ideal because trees are an essential element of any outdoor area. Thus, we’ve created this guide to help you figure out what trees to place near your pool.
The Best Trees To Plant Around A Pool
The trees seen above are only a few examples of pool-friendly options you can opt for. With that being said, here are a couple of things to consider when choosing a tree to plant near your pool:
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Climate
Climate is a huge factor to consider when choosing a tree to plant near your pool.
The reason for why is that some trees grow better in certain climate zones than others. For example, bananas thrive in tropical areas while olive trees only grow in Mediterranean climates.
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Shade
Palms and trees with similar big leaves are great at providing shade without completely blocking out the sun. Therefore, if you live in a sunny area, you might want to consider planting such trees around your swimming pool. As an alternative, opt for a latticed pergola with vines.
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Privacy
We all want to enjoy our pool in a private setting. Sadly, this is easier said than done, especially if you live in the suburbs with many neighbors.
Apart from erecting fences, you can also plant the right trees to increase the levels of privacy of your outdoor area. Your best bet is to go for fast-growing evergreens on both sides of your pool.
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Beauty
The primary purpose of landscaping around your swimming pool is to beautify it.
Due to that, you must select aesthetically pleasing trees. If you decide on planting different species, ensure they go well together. For example, citrus trees go great with magnolia.
The Worst Trees To Plant Around A Pool
The worst trees to plant near pools are big trees with extensive root systems. Such trees tend to produce a lot of pollen and leaf litter. On top of that, their roots can mess with your swimming pool’s walls and its plumbing system and cause irrevocable damage.
Below are qualities that you should avoid when picking out a tree for your pool area:
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Leaf Size
Trees with lots of tiny leaves make maintaining your pool much harder. Meanwhile, those with larger leaves can clog pool vacuums, skimmers, and cleaners.
Aside from that, trees that yield fruits and berries are capable of staining your pool. In addition to that, they can also make your swimming pool quite stinky.
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Root Systems
As mentioned earlier, trees with extensive root systems tend to damage your pool’s walls and plumbing system. The damage they can do only increases over time. Eventually, it will reach a point wherein your pool will be beyond simple repair.
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Litter
Leaves aren’t the only type of litter that trees produce. Some species produce dust, pollen, fruits, and berries.
All these things can end up in your swimming pool and cause problems. As a result, you shall have to perform maintenance more often.
The Bottom Line
While it may not initially cross your mind, it’s very important to pick the right trees to place near your pool. Though some species may look great in your outdoor area, they may not be ideal to have if you want to maintain your pool as infrequently as possible.
The best trees to plant near your pool aren’t messy. They tend to be smaller species. Most have large leaves that are too big to clog your pool’s systems. Others have smaller leaves that do not mess with your pool’s water that much. Lastly, the best trees to plant near your pool provide you with the utmost levels of privacy.
At any rate, if you need any help with anything regarding swimming pools, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Our professional team has your back and will realize your dream pool.
(Related: 20 Fun Pool Games For Kids & Adults)
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About The Author
Christian Cruz is an experienced blogger with a deep passion for the outdoors. He has a fascination with engineering that fuels his research for the Excel Pool & Patio Solutions blog.
