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Trees to Avoid Planting Near Your Pool

When it comes to landscaping around your Florida pool, it’s important to choose trees that
won’t cause excessive debris, invasive root systems, or pose any danger to your pool structure.
There are several tree species you may want to avoid planting near your Florida pool, or trim
back from near your pool if they are already in your yard.

The top trees to avoid are:

  1. Oak Trees: While oak trees are majestic and provide ample shade, their shedding leaves,
    acorns, and pollen can create a mess in your pool. Additionally, their extensive root
    systems can be aggressive and invasive, potentially damaging pool infrastructure.
  2. Pine Trees: Pine trees are common in Florida and offer beautiful foliage. However, their
    needles can easily clog pool filters, and the sticky sap they produce can be difficult to
    remove from pool surfaces. Furthermore, their shallow root systems may interfere with
    underground plumbing.
  3. Eucalyptus Trees: Eucalyptus trees are known for their rapid growth and aromatic
    leaves. However, their leaves can create a significant debris problem in pools.
    Moreover, the volatile oils in their leaves can affect water chemistry and increase the
    maintenance required for your pool.
  4. Palm Trees with Large Fruits: While palm trees are synonymous with tropical
    landscapes, some varieties produce large fruits that can drop into the pool, creating a
    hassle to clean. Coconuts and large seeds can cause damage if they fall from a
    significant height.
  5. Sweetgum Trees: Sweetgum trees are attractive, especially during the fall when their
    leaves turn vibrant colors. However, they produce spiky, round seed pods called
    “gumballs” that can be a nuisance in the pool, making cleaning a tedious task.
  6. Rubber Trees: Rubber trees have gained popularity as houseplants but should be
    avoided near pools. These trees shed leaves and produce a sticky sap that can be
    difficult to remove from pool surfaces. Additionally, their invasive root system can
    damage underground structures.
  7. Weeping Willow Trees: Although weeping willow trees create a beautiful, cascading
    canopy, they have aggressive roots that can damage pool foundations, underground
    pipes, and plumbing. Their constant shedding of branches, leaves, and twigs can also
    burden your pool maintenance routine.
  8. Ficus Trees: Ficus trees, including the popular Ficus benjamina, have invasive roots that
    can cause significant damage to pool structures. Their leaves shed throughout the year,
    creating a constant need for cleaning. Moreover, their sticky sap can be challenging to
    remove.
  9. Jacaranda Trees: Jacaranda trees feature stunning purple blooms that add aesthetic
    appeal to any landscape. However, their flowers can fall into the pool, creating debris.
    Additionally, their extensive root systems can be invasive and potentially cause damage
    to pool structures.
  10. Bamboo: While bamboo can create an exotic and tranquil atmosphere, its rapid growth
    and aggressive root system make it unsuitable for poolside planting. The dense foliage
    can cause excessive debris, and the running root system can infiltrate pool plumbing
    and crack foundations.

When choosing trees for your Florida pool area, consider low-maintenance options with non-
invasive root systems, minimal shedding, and a smaller stature. Consulting with a local
horticulturist or landscape professional can provide valuable insights into the best tree species
for your specific pool and landscape requirements.

Though we at Swim ‘N Fun are not certified arborists, we can make general recommendations
and are happy to share our insights, so don’t be afraid to ask at your next appointment.

While you can do a lot on your own to keep your pool looking good and ready for you whenever
you want, sometimes you might need professional help. In fact, we recommend you have your
pool serviced at least once a year just to make sure everything is as it should be. Plus, we are
really good at checking your equipment such as filters, pumps, and heating systems for major
and minor issues.
 
Swim ‘N Fun offers weekly pool maintenance. Our trained pool technicians service the pool by
testing the pool water, balancing the water chemistry, skimming the pool, brushing the pool
walls, emptying the baskets, vacuuming the pool as needed, cleaning or backwashing the pool
filter as needed, and checking the equipment to ensure that it is running properly. Routine pool
maintenance helps a pool owner to save money and time. A properly balanced pool will also
help keep swimmers safe and healthy.
 
Swim ‘N Fun is fully licensed and insured and has been serving Central Florida since 1986. Our
pool company is ready to help you with any pool repairs that you may need such as repairing a
broken pool pump, pool filter, pool vacuum, pool filtration system or pool lights. Our pool
technicians will arrive at your home in our fully stocked service trucks. They will evaluate the
problem and then make the repair. Many times, an extensive or expensive pool repair is not
needed. Sometimes your pool pump may lose pressure, we can repair that. No job is too big or too small!
 
We service all major brands. Let us help you with your pool repairs. Contact us today at 407-
699-5588.