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5 Best Trees to Install Around Swimming Pools
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Installing trees around a swimming pool will present some unique challenges. You will want to find a tree with a non-invasive root system to protect your pool plumbing underground. Selecting a tree that does not flower heavily or lose its leaves in the winter will also help keep the pool cleaning to a minimum. Finally, we suggest looking for a tree that can withstand the reflective heat coming off the swimming pool. In this post, we’re sharing the 5 best trees to plant around your swimming pool.
Eagleston Holly Tree
Grown most often as a patio tree, we love planting the Eagleston Holly around pools because it meets all of the requirements mentioned above. They are narrow around the base because of the single trunk and provide dense foliage for privacy and shade on top. The Eagleston Holly is evergreen, so it won’t drop foliage and does not flower. You can find several other varieties of Holly similar to Eagleston that have been pruned into a single-trunk patio tree: Liberty, Oakland, and Oakleaf.
Foliage Color: Dark green
Sun Requirement: Shade/part-sun/sun
Soil Needs: Good drainage, adapts to clay soil
Mature Height: 15-20 feet
Mature Width: 8-10 feet
Hardiness: Zones 6-9
Dwarf Magnolia Tree
The Magnolia tree is iconic within southern landscapes. However, only a dwarf variety such as Little Gem or Teddy Bear would be appropriate to plant around a swimming pool. Both dwarf Magnolias are evergreen and grow in a pyramidal shape. The only drawback would be cleaning up the large white blooms when they drop off the tree.
Foliage Color: Dark green and brown underneath
Sun Requirement: Prefers full sun but can tolerate some shade
Soil Needs: Good drainage, slightly acidic
Mature Height: 15-20 feet
Mature Width: 10-15 feet
Hardiness: Zones 7-9
Juniper Taylor Tree
You can find an evergreen Juniper in all shapes and sizes. If you are looking for a tree to plant around your pool that will offer you height in a narrow space, we would recommend looking at the Juniper Taylor. The Taylor is one of the many Juniper varieties that grow in a columnar form. What sets the Taylor apart from similar Juniper varieties is the dense branching and height.
Foliage Color: Dark green
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Soil Needs: Good drainage, adapts to all soil types
Mature Height: 15-20 feet
Mature Width: 3 feet
Hardiness: Zones 3-9
Southern Wax Myrtle Tree
When looking for a smaller tree with a broad canopy, we would recommend the Southern Wax Myrtle. The Wax Myrtle is a fast-growing and fragrant evergreen tree, ideal for a privacy screen. This tree is multi-trunk with a tendency to grow wide. It can be grown as a large shrub or an ornamental tree.
Foliage Color: Olive green
Sun Requirement: Full sun to part shade
Soil Needs: Highly adaptable, sandy, or wet
Mature Height: 15 feet
Mature Width: 10 feet
Hardiness: Zones 7-11
Palm Tree
Palm trees are very popular tropical trees for landscaping around pools, and for good reason. Palm trees come in many varieties with different looks and growth habits. However, they all offer a shallow root system, no leaf or bloom dropping, and are evergreen. The most important thing to note about the Palm tree you select is the hardiness. Palms are not big fans of cold, so make sure you select a Palm that is appropriate for one zone colder than your planting zone. For the traditional look of a Palm tree with a degree of cold tolerance, we would suggest either the Windmill Palm or Pindo Palm. Don’t forget to wrap your Palm to protect the tree from freezing winter temperatures.
Foliage Color: Silvery green fronds
Sun Requirement: Full sun to part shade
Soil Needs: Good drainage, slightly acidic
Mature Height: 20 feet
Mature Width: 10-15 feet
Hardiness: Zones 7-11
It is crucial to understand the growth habit and needs of any tree planted around your swimming pool. You want your tree to enhance the way you use your swimming pool and grow in a way that protects your investment in both the swimming pool and the tree.