What Trees to Plant Next to Pool?

Are you building a pool in your yard? Maybe you moved into a new home with a pool and want to landscape the area. Adding trees around the pool is a great way to increase the site’s visual aesthetic, create a privacy barrier, and add shade to the area on a hot summer day. In this article, we highlight the best types of trees to plant next to a swimming pool.

What Trees Should You Plant Next to a Pool?

Palms

Palms are a great choice for backyard pools in sub-tropical or tropical climates. These trees grow their roots straight down into the soil. As a result, you can plant palm trees next to the pool, and the roots won’t break through the walls and cause a leak.

Palm trees make ideal natural privacy screens around the pool when planted close together. Some of the palm species we recommend for planting around the pool include the following.

• Mediterranean fan palm
• Queen’s palm
• Sabal palm
• Sago palm
• Windmill palm
• Cane palm

Japanese Maple

Japanese maple trees are native to Korea and Japan. Many gardeners and landscapers consider them to be small trees or shrubs. This type of tree rarely grows beyond 15 to 20 feet tall, with dwarf varieties much smaller than that.

Japanese maple trees are a slow-growing species, with the winter producing breathtaking changes in foliage. Plant japanese maples in sheltered areas as they don’t do well when exposed to the wind. Don’t let the roots dry out; ensure the soil is always moist.

Palo Verde

The palo verde includes P. aculeata and P. Florida, two species from the Parkinsonia genus. These trees are drought-resistant and ideal for drier, warmer regions. Palo verde trees feature branches, leaves, and green bark similar to the willow, and flowers during the spring, producing mesmerizing blossoms.

The best varieties to plant around your pool include the Foothill, Blue, Mexican, and Sonoran. Palo verde trees grow quickly and can reach heights of up to 40 feet. Ensure you plant in well-drained soil to avoid root rot and fungus problems.

Desert Ironwood

The desert ironwood also goes by the name “hop hornbeam.” This shade-lover grows small and wide, reaching heights of up to 25 feet. Desert ironwood trees have sparse foliage and a slim trunk, with light green, fine-toothed leaves featuring a paper-like texture that’s soft and slightly rough to the touch.

The desert ironwood is drought-resistant. So, plant it away from other plants that require lots of water. This tree loves dry climates, so don’t overwater it, or you’ll experience root rot.

Gingko Biloba

Ginkgo biloba is commonly listed on energy supplement ingredients. Now you can plant a ginkgo biloba tree in your backyard next to the pool and get fresh ginkgo. Native to China, this species is at least 300 million years old. The tree grows 25 to 50 feet in height at full maturity and spreads out 25 to 35 feet.

The palm-like fan leaves of the tree provide a pleasing look, and you have options for gold and green-colored varieties. However, you can expect a weekend of sweeping up leaves when the fall arrives. The gingko drops all its foliage at once instead of slowly losing it.

Considerations for Planting Trees Around the Pool

• View – Will the tree block your view of your property or surrounding landscape when it matures?
• Root system – Does the root system spread outwards or grow straight down? Roots can cause cracks in pool walls and damage the filtration system.
• Leaf drop – Unless you want to fish leaves out of the pool in the fall, consider the leaf drop of the tree.
• Container or planting in-ground – If you have planting areas around the pool, you can plant straight into the ground. If there’s no planting space available, consider pots for your trees.

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