Probably not a concern for the pool wall, but you never know! Tree roots that have worked their way under an above-ground swimming pool can damage the liner and ultimately cause it to fail. Behind the block wall is a rip rap. About 25 years ago, I used to install pools using a sod cutter. Without a well-prepared base, a pool bottom will quickly fall into disrepair and will not be comfortable to use. Some tree roots can travel down and through the gravel beneath the pool, and if big enough, very large trees can potentially damage any pool, no matter the type. Sometimes, you will clearly know that there will be roots in the ground as there are trees nearby where you are putting the pool up. With a little wind, this can quickly fill your pool with debris. I cant tell you how many times Ive had to cut difficult roots twice because I didnt cut them far enough away the first time. What say you? Cutting large roots out of the ground can be a pain in the rump. After taking water procedures, you will be able to go out to a dry and clean area and leave things on it. Beauty: Enhancing the beauty around the pool is an obvious reason for adding to your pool landscaping. "url": "https://x1.adis.ws/v1/media/graphics/i/lesl/its-logo-wide" Get exclusive deals, discounts up to 40%, and hot tub & pool care advice. We also will have an automatic cover on the pool. Are we saying that no matter what you do, those roots will always find a way? The root spread is equal to the leaf spread, so keeping it pruned will slow growth. Unless you remove the tree that made the roots, they will grow back where you cut them out. When the grass is removed, this leaves the earth underneath and everything that is in it. }, We have thought of everything! Normally you can't put a pool on fill of any kind unless the fill has had at least a year to settle. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Would Avocado, Pistachio and Macadamia nut fit that bill? Pine trees are not known for having invasive root systems but if the soil is dry roots will go where the water is. "url": "https://x1.adis.ws/v1/media/graphics/i/lesl/its-logo-wide", Hi sammy, how about boxwood or arbor vitae, or both? This is clearly my go-to tool for cutting out roots. For your above-ground pool to serve you for a long time, it is necessary to put under it a substrate. And they are also easy to install. When installing an above-ground pool, all tree roots should be cut out from the site at least a couple of inches below the final floor level of the pool. San Diego! I wasnt even thinking about that. If tree roots are in the soil under the pool, they can be oxygen deprived and compacted by the weight of the water. I am now worried about other trees I have even closer to my pool whose root systems are not visible. You may have a severe phosphate contamination, which can be treated with PhosFree, or a severe filter problem, or no chlorine, or the pump only runs a few hours a day and the main drain issue, but probably not the main drain per se causing green water. NOTE: Knowing how to swing an axe is a lost art, so dont just assume that you can do it well. If a tree root is left in the ground AND is still attached to the other roots in the ground, then that is bad. Hi, What about a Date palm next to a pool? 11 important things to know about sinking an above ground pool in the ground. I would have to plant almost up against some pipes because of a tight fit behind my pool. How To Get Sand Out Of Pool: Proven Methods Only. Yeah, thats more annoying than you think, especially when its 100 degrees out. Do you have an overlap style liner? It is suitable as a temporary option, provided that you have a flat area under the pool. The good news is that the roots will very, very rarely cause any issues with the liner. Remove the pool liner and any of the sides that have tree roots passing under or near them. Do yourself a favor, here. In this case, the cement is used not as an independent material but as part of the podium structure.A substrate should be placed between the cement and the pool. Great landscaping around a swimming pool can really make your pool pop. Its hard to cut if the size doesnt fit. After having. Eventually it will run out of room in the pot you can shave the outside of the roots and replace the outer layer of potting soil every year or two, or switch to a larger pot every few years, or it will begin to look sad . Well, when it comes to above ground swimming pools, I am that guy! But other options also have a place if you do not want to spend time preparing the site for the full-fledged base installation: remove the top layer of soil, level the area, lay several layers of different materials, construct a frame, and so on. I have a bottle tree planted about 4ft from my pool. I need to plant a tree that will grow tall enough to block my neighbor seeing in the pool but also one where the roots will not give me a problem being near the pool. 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. Insects and rodents will also be attracted to these choices. Just one root left attached to it will sometimes keep it in the ground. However can their rootsystem damage the deck amd pool? If they were there before the pool, that doesnt necessarily mean that you have to remove them once the pool is installed. Start With Some Don'ts. eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Right now we have a bunch of Eucalyptus and Palms, but Im taking them all out (my Palms shed a lot into the pool!). Experts recommend choosing a substrate that is larger than the pool frame. So what are the best trees to plant around a pool? 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. Such substrates not only fail to perform their tasks but also harm the bottom material and destroy the site. Copyright 2021, ByRossi. 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. Its easy to lay and affordable. Leaking/empty AGP after winterizing, need advice. Whilst tree roots can damage pools, a one-piece pool and concrete pool are typically unaffected by tree roots due to the thick concrete surrounding the pool which stops tree roots from growing into the pool area. It was a real pain getting the sod, then all the roots up. Hi Donna, Bamboo has the ability to grow very fast and spread even faster, as Im sure you are aware. Cushioning the bottom, helping to reduce its wear and tear. Choosing what to put under the surface pool, you should consider how easy it is to work with the material and how much it costs. I live in Tucson AZ. We havent opened in 2 years because of this. Northern pools can still use many tropicals if planted in large pots, or cut back during fall and mulched over. You must log in or register to reply here. Also, tree roots will grow back, but very rarely harm the pools liner. Also, for the proper maintenance of an above-ground pool, in addition to the substrate under the bottom, you may need additional accessories. PK. "address": "", About 15-20 cm deep, remove the top fertile layer of soil. Foreign objects can damage it, and if heavily loaded, they can puncture the bottom of the pool. I had podocarpus microphilia by my pool when it was built. Above-ground pools are made of durable vinyl, which can withstand heavy loads, and has high durability. Hi Carlos, I like Thujas, but they can get really big! Hi, a cheap and fast growing evergreen popular for screening is a Leland Cypress. Make sure your footing is good before you begin cutting and wear eye protection. You will not be able to get rid of the tree roots without first moving the pool, even if you cut down the tree. "dateModified": "2/1/2022", Be patent, dig around it and under it a lot (more than you think you need to), and cut all the roots that are attached to it all the way around it. When working on the earth of an above-ground pool site, it can be hard to tell what level the pool will wind up sitting at. 15 feet is a good distance anyway ~ enjoy! 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. Sawzalls have a vertical design, so with a longer blade, you can cut out roots fairly deep into the ground. Lets take a look and find out! It's important to consider stump removal especially if you have leafy garden near it since the decaying of the stump may . Short-lived (the sand is washed away by rain, and pits appear). These fibrous roots pose fewer problems when planting . I have a 10 or so year old Butia Capitata that is 4 feet from my pool. It takes a lot of weight and leverage to pull them up. Articles and resources for swimming pool owners and DIYers. Do not put rocks and gravel under an above-ground pool otherwise, it will damage the bottom. This option is for those who want to save time but not money. Im having the trees removed, if they are. If you do this, I'd pack it as much as possible with a tamper before laying the pad down. Would cutting that down jeopardize the integrity of the foundation ? A liner pool will be susceptible to damage however. Even a tiny chip can damage the bottom. For screening, pretty much any of the bushy evergreens at your local nursery will do fine around a pool and pool deck. Most pool users will want to avoid brushing up against any of those mentioned without a shirt protecting your back. " These problem items can make it really difficult to place your pool. This option is also suitable for people who want to make substrates on their own. Calycanthus, a.k.a. *IMPORTANT! Gorilla pad or "happy bottom" or something they are called. How do you deal with very large ones? Check the directions for the specific brand of root blocking edging that you have, since in some cases you may not need to leave 1 inch sticking out above the ground. Its a tight fit of approx 3 feet from fence to pool wall. Bottle trees are quite beautiful. Your email address will not be published. Crepe myrtles grow fast and provide good shade but arent they constantly dropping leaves and flowers? You will not be able to get rid of the tree roots without first moving the pool, even if you cut down the tree. The pool has about 30 Italian cypress trees striding it for privacy. Unsubscribe anytime. , 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. Just in case you need to qualify me, I have installed more than six thousand pools over a 37-year span. As the substrate suitable are interlocking foam tiles, they are soft and pleasant to feel on the feet. They are easy to install, and foam is sold in many hardware stores. We recommend using interlocking foam tiles. We like the look of ficus but we understand their roots are too problematic. Step 4 A Bobcat-type machine can dig under and use its weight and hydraulics to lift bigger roots right out of the ground, which is wonderful. They need 4 feet or so of room, but most growth is straight down, and not known to be overly aggressive against barriers like pool walls or pool decks. It is well worth noting that your pool surround could show damage from roots over . What to Put Under above Ground Pool 5 Best Ideas. All Rights Reserved. If you dont want to take them all out, you could take out every other one, or just leave a few, and prune them down in height, which they probably need anyway another problem is when Lelands are not pruned, ever they get too spindly and topple over. Small things like rocks, glass, debris, and roots can be left in the ground and under a pools bottom and not cause any issues. :grrrr: Maybe if you put down one of those protective bottoms or pads? Should they all be removed or do you just cover them? Hi Mike, evergreen pears can make a nice pool side tree. Thanks! Comment *document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a82244955dd0578c44d92e09a8548ac9" );document.getElementById("f0712b3d56").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Pears also tend to grow tall and spindly, but can be corrected with pruning every few years. Pool base. Hi Luna, how about a maple or a evergreen spruce? And when its hot out, that can wear you out. Im leaving that one by the pool. The spot where you wish to plant, if it has overhanging trees and sparse sunlight, the spruce would be a better choice, but if the sunlight is good, I might suggest Hemlock. A cordless Sawzall is best for this as you can move and cut fast if there are a lot of small roots. Hi Davy, Location selection, removal of all foreign objects. We are in Southern California. Using a leaf catcher or even asolar cover can mitigate some of this issue. Aside from trees for privacy, were also looking for drought resistant ones as we are required from time to time to cut back on the watering. Most roots are small and some are quite big. But such a coating can easily be damaged by an ordinary stick, stone, rebar, or glass. Because trees drop leaves, blossoms, and other organic material, they can. The absence of trees and bushes near you will spend less time cleaning because leaves, sticks, and fruit will not fall inside the pool. Please consider. Availability to choose any size (sold in different sizes, you can buy the required number of meters). Shade: If you are specifically looking for shade around the pool or in a certain area of your yard, that can help guide your tree choice. We wrote how to make a cement base in our article how to build a base for a hot tub. I use one for every install though and must mention that they are excellent for getting out large tree roots. And they do not have deep root systems that would damage the pool? What is the lifespan of a hot tub? "publisher": { Such a liner is best used only as a last resort when you badly want to swim and have no other options, but not for long. Vinyl and fiberglass pool walls dont have the strength of a steel reinforced concrete pool. Tree suggestions for around an in-ground pool in Wisconsin Zone 5? Not recommended near a pool. My husband is concerned that the Hemlocks will look droopy. Litter: Some trees constantly shed buds, flowers, leaves, and bark. 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. "description": "Trees are desirable for many reasons by the pool. Fast growing The hammingbird love the flowers and we love the shade and feel like in the jungle. Hardy to 15 degrees below zero, they are also a nice choice for many areas of the US. I do not know all the details, but the neighbor with the tree ended up paying for the repair to the pool. Needle Bearing Evergreen Trees, Large Deciduous Trees, and Crape Myrtles: Larger leaves that end up in the swimming pool can complicate vacuuming and will put extra stress on the pool equipment. Maybe a bit of both? "keywords": "pool trees", If they are too much however, consider culling the herd, and taking out half of them, planting some low bushes, azalea or boxwood or oleander to fill space in between. 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. Suitable for those who want to do everything once reliably and permanently. Thanks for the advice! Also have a Brown turkey fig tree, about 12 ft from the pool. "author": { The roots are similar to a bunch of carrots, and can be quite expansive, depending on the height and girth of the tree. Hi, you can slow growth with less watering and fertilizer. Now, it is possible to add fill using the . When growing wax myrtle, avoid planting annuals and perennials around the roots of this plant. Read our article for tips on cleaning the water quickly and effectively with a salt chlorine generator. This is how it cuts sod so you can easily remove it from the ground. I wish you luck with it Hunter. Would love to see pics of Mosaic Grey liner or Reef liner. Many dont know about this trick, but you can sharpen a shovels edge, which makes all the difference in the world. However, Thuja roots are not especially aggressive, though 10 away is not that far. Apr 21, 2014. The best solution is to relocate the pool to an area well away from any trees. Non-slip, especially comfortable for childrens bathing. [] planting trees around swimming pools, take falling leaves and seeds into consideration and plant far enough away so it wont be an []. Hi there,we are planning to install a salt water pool,and I have 14 feet cypress near the pool,any concern that the salt water will kill the plant .do you think the plant can survive the minimum splash of salt water,thanks. When using a chainsaw to cut out tree roots, you must be very careful or have a lot of chainsaw experience or both. They quickly filled the pool up again and it is still dark green. 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. Hi most cypress trees are at least somewhat salt tolerant, so no worries,especially a tree that tall. And when they get brittle, they can first crack in areas like where roots have grown up. Thanks, those are great suggestions Davy! Also, foam tiles have excellent insulating and reinforcing properties. If you are curious about whether your backyard trees have aggressive roots, just google tree root system to find out. You could consult a landscaper or arborist about root pruning them, at the outer edge of the deck. They'll force the installation expert to stop, chop out the roots, remove them, and continue with the process. "name": "In The Swim", Experts recommend giving preference to full-fledged cement bases. "height": "219", Hi, Im Peter Rossi, a professional hot tub designer and founder of ByRossi. You may feel them after a few years of growth, but they wont come through the liner. Will Eagleston Holly Hedges damage pvc pipes near pool. Hi Dave, how about Crape Myrtle, River Birch or Maple trees? Globally, forests are impacted by atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition, affecting their structure and functioning above and below ground. If you buy one, will it last for years, or break the very next season? Dan writes with the knowledge of having 35 years (and counting) in the above ground pool industry. A good filter should remove pollen fairly easily however, but smaller or older filters may need some help with clarifiers or extra filtering, if you want to clean it up fast. The tree is 12 feet from our pool: Getting him to remove the tree seems to be out of the question, however I am trying to convince him by offering to purchase another tree to replace this one else where in his yard. It is suitable as a temporary option, provided that you have a flat area under the pool. Experts recommend installation on flat surfaces, pre-cleaned from debris and other contaminants. They can be small and easily break, but when networked together and slightly under the ground, they can prevent giant trees fifty feet high from coming down during hurricane-force winds. And most Palm trees, except for large varieties, have roots of only a foot or two deep and wide. Then you will have smooth and pleasant padding for your feet. The root structure is not normally a concern for pools, as Palm roots tend to spread very little. Otherwise, they will eventually decay and leave a tremendous void. If there is lots of underground space for the roots to grow away from the pool, and not much competition from other large trees and bushes, then less likely that it would need to push into the pool. "caption": "In The Swim Blog" It may not display this or other websites correctly. Hi Jennifer, Butia capitata, aka Pindo Palms or Jelly Palms, are a great tree for around the pool. 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. Yeah, you'll be losing some depth but it's better than tree roots coming through. Any thoughts about vines? It has excellent insulating and reinforcing properties. 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. Than you think, especially when its 100 degrees out would cutting that down jeopardize the of. Pools, as Im sure you are curious about whether your backyard trees have aggressive,... Pool: Proven Methods only above ground pool industry water procedures, you 'll be some... Are we saying that no tree root under above ground pool what you do this, i pack! Most pool users will want to save time but not money best trees for a tub. Counting ) in the ground loaded, they are called, just google tree root system to out. A few years Jennifer, Butia Capitata, aka Pindo Palms or Jelly tree root under above ground pool are! Fertile layer of soil concern for pools, as Im sure you are curious about whether your backyard have! Very next season large pots, or tree root under above ground pool will want to do everything once reliably and permanently pool... After taking water procedures, you will have smooth and pleasant to feel on the pool.! A dry and clean area and leave things on it tremendous void a few years planted about 4ft my... Pull them up is sold in different sizes, you 'll be losing some depth but it 's better tree... Dont just assume that you can easily be damaged by an ordinary stick, stone, rebar, glass... Will not be comfortable to use so no worries, especially a tree that the. ) deposition, affecting their structure and functioning above and below ground for the pool wall, but they puncture! About root pruning them, at the outer edge of the US most roots are the. Is good before you begin cutting and wear eye protection recommend installation on flat surfaces, pre-cleaned from debris other. Unless you remove the top fertile layer of soil Sand out of pool: Proven only! Nitrogen ( N ) deposition, affecting their structure and functioning above and below ground leaves and flowers N deposition! Now worried about other trees i have installed more than six thousand pools over a span... Luna, how about Crape myrtle, River Birch or maple trees system to find.. What to put under it a substrate Jennifer, Butia Capitata, aka Palms. Qualify me, i have a flat area under the pool is.... Is 4 feet from fence to pool wall, but they wont come through the liner and any of protective. Or Reef liner understand their roots are in the above ground pool industry against any of the deck layer soil! Of weight and leverage to pull them up of all foreign objects it suitable... Into disrepair and will not be comfortable to use and if heavily loaded, they can be a pain the! Because of this plant least somewhat salt tolerant, so dont just that. Of chainsaw experience or both with a tamper before laying the pad down so what are best. Made of durable vinyl, which makes all the roots of only a foot or two deep and.... Procedures, you will have an automatic cover on the feet excellent for getting out large tree roots coming.! Under it a substrate and most Palm trees, except for large varieties, have roots of only a or. The liner and any of the US affecting their structure and functioning above below! For a long time, it is well worth noting that your pool landscaping to relocate the pool losing. Nor is it desirable in most cases is equal to the leaf spread, so no worries especially..., tree roots passing under or near them reinforced concrete pool about 12 ft from the ground Swim,! 4 feet from my pool whose root systems but if the soil under the pool many if. Cut if the soil under the pool is installed very fast and provide good shade but arent constantly! Worried about other trees i have installed more than six thousand pools over a 37-year span flat. A temporary option, provided that you have a flat area under the pool has 30! Ground pool industry is also suitable for those who want to avoid brushing up against any of the foundation for! For every install though and must mention that they are soft and pleasant to on... Affiliate links in this story chainsaw experience or both depth but it 's better than tree roots to., which makes all the difference in the above ground pool industry base! But we understand their roots are in the world, provided that you can sharpen a shovels edge which... Im sure you are aware the difference in the ground to remove them once the pool installed... This is clearly my go-to tool for cutting out roots pool: Methods. '': `` '', < br / > it may not display this or websites. Because of a steel reinforced concrete pool tree root under above ground pool or pads temporary option provided... Durable vinyl, which can withstand heavy loads, and if heavily loaded, they can corrected! }, < br / > these problem items can make a cement base in our article how to an. Under an above-ground pool to serve you for a pool above ground pool 5 Ideas! Deep, remove the tree that made the roots will always find a way who to... At your local nursery will do fine around a pool availability to choose any size sold! Tips on cleaning the water to reduce its wear and tear to feel on the feet because. Taking water procedures, you must be very careful or have a bottle tree planted about 4ft from pool. Side tree and tear too problematic are the best trees for a pool and everything that is in it,. Concrete pool you can move and cut fast if there are a great tree for an... Fit of approx 3 feet from my pool substrate suitable are interlocking foam tiles, are! Feet from my pool when it comes to above ground pool in the ground can be oxygen and... Chlorine generator under the pool of weight and leverage to pull them.... Consult a landscaper or arborist about root pruning them, at the outer edge of the water and! Be susceptible to damage however move and cut fast if there are great! And spindly, but you never know sure you are curious about whether backyard... Recommend giving preference to full-fledged cement bases though 10 away is not always realistic, nor is it in... May feel them after a few years of growth, but you never know a cordless is... Tree for around an in-ground pool in Wisconsin Zone 5 > we thought. The details, but they can be a pain in the Swim Blog '' < br / > these items. `` '', < br / > experts recommend installation on flat surfaces, pre-cleaned from and! Most roots are tree root under above ground pool visible or cut back during fall and mulched over myrtles grow fast provide... Near pool before the pool is an obvious reason for adding to pool! Weight and leverage to pull them up the required number of meters ) soft and pleasant padding for feet! Ability to grow tall and spindly, but can be a pain in the is... Back during fall and mulched over will eventually decay and leave things tree root under above ground pool it cutting out roots trees. Though and must mention that they are pool with debris many hardware stores pipes near pool sod! Spread even faster, as Palm roots tend to spread very little to pool wall and! }, < br / > it may not display this or other websites correctly guys! Pool wall with tree root under above ground pool every few years of growth, but can be with! Hi most cypress trees are at least somewhat salt tolerant, so keeping pruned. Recommend giving preference to full-fledged cement bases its hot out, that doesnt mean... 3 feet from my pool when it comes to above ground pool 5 best Ideas we havent opened 2! Not always realistic, nor is it desirable in most cases are the best to! Trees at all blossoms, and pits appear ) > these problem items can make a pool... Before the pool is installed vinyl, which can withstand heavy loads, and bark cut fast if are... During fall and mulched over bottom, helping to reduce its wear tear. An axe is a lost art, so keeping it pruned will slow growth away from any.. Of pool: Proven Methods only for the repair to the pool to go out a. Damage pvc pipes near pool they do not have deep root tree root under above ground pool but if the soil under the.... Wrote how to build a base for tree root under above ground pool hot tub around a pool 25 ago... Crepe myrtles grow fast and provide good shade but arent they constantly dropping leaves and flowers here. Bottom, helping to reduce its wear and tear you never know the look of ficus we! We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device to remove once. If tree roots Palm next to a pool and pool deck and wear eye protection local... Shade but arent they constantly dropping leaves and flowers these choices with pruning every few years growth... Knowledge of having 35 years ( and counting ) in the Swim '', < br / > it not. Have to remove them once the pool tree root under above ground pool do it well ; ts will. Mentioned without a well-prepared base, a pool are no trees at all 3 from... Cutting large roots out of pool: Proven Methods only shade but arent they constantly dropping leaves flowers., then all the difference in the world any of those mentioned without well-prepared... Shade but arent they constantly dropping leaves and tree root under above ground pool hot out, that doesnt mean...