Can I Plant a Willow Tree Near a Swimming Pool?

Willow trees are decidiuous and typically have narrow leaves on long, thin branches.


When choosing trees for a pool area, you must consider a number of factors, including whether or not their root systems are aggressive. Willow trees (Salix spp.) are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 9, depending on the species. They are fast-growing trees with invasive root systems that aggressively seek out nearby water sources. For this reason, willows should not be planted close to water pipes, septic tanks or swimming pools.

Willows and Water

There are over 200 species of willow growing around the world, and they naturally do best in wet soils. Willows typically grow along stream and river banks, by the shores of lakes and ponds, and even in the water. In these locations, their shallow root systems form a mat that prevents soil erosion. This makes willows a good choice for shorelines where erosion is a concern, but bad for planting near water sources that might be damaged by their invasive roots.

Aggresive Roots

Willows are fast-growing trees with invasive roots. Large willow trees such as the white willow (Salix alba), hardy in USDA zones 2 through 8, can reach 75 to 100 feet tall with a 50 to 100 foot spread. Willow roots spread out at least as far as the tree is tall, and can cause extensive damage to irrigation lines, sewage pipes, septic systems and swimming pools. The roots aggressively seek out water, and will break pipes and crack pool walls to make their way to moisture.

How Far to Plant Them

As a general rule, trees must be planted at least 10 to 30 feet away from a pool, depending on their mature size. For trees with root systems that might become problematic, such as willows, assume that the root system will be between two and three times the size of the mature canopy, and plant that far away from your pool. For example, the dappled willow (Salix integra "Hakuro Nishiki"), hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9, grows to a mature height and spread of 15 feet. It should be planted at least 30 feet away from a swimming pool.

Trees for a Pool

You can plant several species of trees as alternatives to willows in a pool area. Slow-growing trees with noninvasive root systems are a good choice. These include Mediterranean fan palm (Chamaerops humilis) and shoestring acacia (Acacia stenophylla). Both are hardy in USDA zones 8 through 11. They're slow-growing plants, but should still be planted at least 10 feet from the pool wall. The fan palm will reach 10 to 15 feet tall and wide, and the acacia has a mature height of 20 to 25 feet.

About the Author


Photo Credits

  • Hemera Technologies/ Images
Suggest a Correction