Discover the Best Trees to Plant Around Your Pool

Today we want to share with you a special post:

9 Recommended Trees for Landscaping Around Pools

The landscaping around the pool is key to the overall look and effect you want to create for your outdoor space. If the plantings are well-chosen and planned, they will show the best of the pool.

The wrong choices can damage the whole scene. Find the maximum height and width of the canopy of a potential tree near the pool so you don't end up with something standing or occupying the pool and patio area.

Grow Strong and Healthy Trees – Discover the Best Tools and Tree Planting Supplies!

Bestseller No. 1

The Practical Science of Planting Trees

Bestseller No. 2

Planting Shade Trees

SaleBestseller No. 3

Grow a Little Fruit Tree: Simple Pruning Techniques for Small-Space, Easy-Harvest Fruit Trees

What to consider
When choosing a tree specimen to plant near your pool, consider:

Leaf drop: Make sure your chosen tree has minimal leaf drop and is not cluttered. You don't want to clean pots of seeds, fruit, dead flowers, leaves, and other plant and tree debris from the pool filter.
Root system: Does the tree have a shallow root system? The roots can enter the pipe and cause cracks in the concrete.
Container vs. in-ground: can the plant be grown in large containers, preferably on wheels (to follow or to protect from the sun), and move away when the pool water is sprayed?
Match your theme Does the selected tree reflect the theme of your outdoor space? Tropical, Japanese, Mediterranean, or desert oasis themes may, of course, require certain types of trees.
View: Will the tree block a view at full maturity?

Here are 9 types of trees that work well for landscaping around a pool.

Palm (Various Genera)

In tropical or subtropical climates, palms are appropriate choices because their roots tend to grow downward and they have a tight spreading habit. When planted in a group or grouping, they can be ideal privacy screens. Palm trees that look attractive near pools include:

Sabal palm (Sabal palmetto)
Queen's palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana)
Sago palm (Cycus spp.)
Cane palm (Dypsis lutescens)
Windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei)
Mediterranean fan palm (Chamaerops humilis)

Once established, palm trees need water only twice a month, but water them several times a week while they are becoming established.

USDA Growing Zones: 7 to 11 (depends on species)
Color Varieties: Medium-green foliage
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Conditions: Sandy loam

Citrus (Citrus Spp.)

Citrus trees add a touch of color and personality to the pool or patio garden. These plants also give urban farmers or those with small gardens the opportunity to grow a fruit tree.

Some varieties of citrus trees are particularly suitable for growing in containers or small areas. One of the benefits of growing a citrus tree by the pool in a container is that you can move it to follow it or protect it from the sun.

Tip: If it says "dwarf citrus," it is probably suitable for growing in a container.

The best fruit tree choices for the home landscape are lemon, orange, tangerine, lemon, kumquat, and grapefruit.

USDA Growing Zones: 9 to 11 (depending on the type)
Color Varieties: Green foliage
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Conditions: Prefers sandy loam but tolerates many soil conditions

Banana (Musa Spp.)

Although bananas grow like a tree and are used as such in the landscape, they are actually herbs. Native to Southeast Asia, this fast-growing perennial herb has smooth, thick stems and spreads through underground shoots and roots to form clusters 2 to 3 meters or wider.

It's large, large leaves (5 to 9 feet) give it a tropical look, but can be easily ripped off by the winds. For garden use, choose a tall variety, such as "Cuban Red," which can grow up to 25 feet. These are tropical plants, so they need a sheltered location to protect them from colder temperatures and winds, which can cause the plants to die again.

Don't try to grow them in temperate climates, unless you are growing smaller varieties in pots, which can be moved indoors to protect them from the cold.

USDA Growing Zones: 9 to 10
Color Varieties: Light to medium-green foliage
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Conditions: Rich, well-drained soil; prefers slightly acidic soil

Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)

Japanese maples are native to Japan and Korea and can be considered large shrubs or small trees. Most are slow-growing and rarely reach heights greater than 6 meters.

These trees are highly admired for their changing leaves and delicate, airy shape. Plant the Japanese maple in sheltered locations, as they do not respond well to wind conditions. Hot environments require a lot of water to keep the soil moist; don't let the Japanese maple dry out.

USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9
Color Varieties: Light green, dark green, or burgundy foliage
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil Conditions: Moist, well-drained soil

Hinoki Cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa)

Also known as false cypress, the Hinoki cypress is a perennial conifer that can grow up to 75 feet, although cultivars used in the landscape typically range between 2 and 25 feet in height.

Some cultivars have showy foliage, linden, or gold, such as "Nana Lutea" and "Crippsi". Dwarf varieties are beautiful base plants for poolside rock gardens, adding density and texture without taking up too much space.

Like most conifers, the Hinoki cypress loves slightly acidic soils. Fertilizing with an acidic fertilizer, such as the formulation designed for azaleas, can provide this.

USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8
Color Varieties: Dark green evergreen foliage; some cultivars have lime or gold-colored foliage
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil Conditions: Fertile, slightly acidic soil

Silk Floss (Ceiba speciosa)

Native to Brazil and other South American countries, the silk tree (Ceiba speciosa) has been cultivated in California and the western United States since the early 1900s, beginning with Santa Barbara.

Easily identifiable by large spines or spines studded on the trunk and greenish branches, floss is not a tree to plant poolside. However, it is a semi-deciduous tree of impressive beauty that can reach a height of almost 18 meters in height and 9 meters in width.

In summer and fall, large, showy flowers bloom, light pink to pink, followed in spring by large capsules that split in two to release strands of white thread. Silk-like threads of silk are used to fill pillows in the tree's native South American habitat.

USDA Growing Zones: 9 to 10
Color Varieties: Dark green foliage; pink flowers in fall
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Conditions: Consistently moist, humusy soil

Fruitless Olive (Olea europea var.)

Failed olive trees are native to the Mediterranean and have soft, gray-green willow-like foliage. Be sure to choose unsuccessful cultivars, such as "Wilsonii" or "Monher". Olive trees grow slowly, usually reaching heights of 25 to 30 feet.

Olive trees look best when planted in deep, rich soil. They will grow in coastal regions and also in areas with hot, dry summers. Due to the lack of fruit, it is a very well-kept tree that adapts well to swimming pools and patios. These trees have good drought tolerance as they are well established, but in the first year, give them plenty of water.

USDA Growing Zones: 8 to 11
Color Varieties: Gray-green foliage
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Conditions: Rich, medium-moisture, well-drained soil

Desert Ironwood (Olneya tesota)

Also known as black carp, desert ironwood is a small, shade-loving tree with a thin trunk and sparse foliage. It grows up to about 25 meters in height; the leaves are light green, finely serrated, and have a tissue-like texture.

Its buds are small, brown, and pointed. This plant loves arid conditions, so be sure not to over-water it. It is better to plant it away from other plants that require more water.

USDA Growing Zones: 9 to 11
Color Varieties: Pale green foliage; pink or white flowers in spring
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Conditions: Dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil

Palo Verde (Parkinsonia Spp.)

Palo verde trees include two species of the genus Parkinsonia: P. aculeata and P. florida. Both are drought-tolerant, making them perfect for arid regions, where many homeowners have backyard pools.

The trees are known for their green bark and willow-like branches and leaves, as well as their beautiful spring flowers. The main varieties include "Blue", "Foothill", "Sonoran" and "Mexican". Adult heights range between 6 and 12 meters, depending on the variety. Palo verde trees can't stand a lot of moisture, so be sure to plant them in well-drained soil.