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Trees help improve the curb appeal of your property. They offer natural beauty that makes your home attractive and comfortable to relax in. Sewer lines, on the other hand, play a crucial role in improving the overall functionality of your home. One of the things to note is that the trees in your compound can affect the sewer pipes.
Therefore, as you plant them, you have to ensure that the sewer drain is not affected by tree roots and other tree parts. With the vital role that the sewer pipes play, you do not want them affected. If you want to plant trees near the sewer pipes, you need to choose trees that will not affect your sewer line.
This article looks at some of the trees to plant near sewer pipes and some considerations to make in the process.
How to Plant Trees Near Sewer Lines
Trees can give you a lot of problems when planted near water pipes. Due to their pursuit of water, their roots can grow deep, affecting sewer pipes and eventually causing a blocked sewer. The roots cause a lot of pressure leading to problems with your entire sewerage system. Here are some important tips to ensure your trees do not affect the sewer pipes.
- Plan your Trees
You should take time to plan your landscaping around the sewer lines and water pipes. It can be challenging if you do not know the exact location of your sewer pipes. As a result, you need to hire a professional plumber to help assess where the sewer lines are located before you can plant trees to avoid root intrusion.
- Check the Planting Distance from the Drain Pipes
It is necessary to consider the distance you plant the trees from the drain pipes. You should plant them at least ten feet from the drain pipes. This is a rule you need to follow no matter the type of trees you select. If you want to plant a species with a spreading root system, you should plant them a hundred feet away from the sewer lines. Doing so helps avoid damage to the pipes.
- Maintain and Monitor the Trees
There are always chances that tree roots will move deep into the ground no matter the efforts you put in planting trees away from the sewer lines.
You might find them clogging or blocking the sewer lines. To avoid any problems, you should regularly monitor and maintain the trees to ensure that the roots do not go deep and damage the pipes.
- Observe a Planting Limit
You should never overplant trees near the sewer lines. Depending on the reasons for your tree planting, you can explore various options.
You can opt for potted trees, hanging plants, or baskets filled with your favourite trees. If you want to get more shade near the sewer system, you can opt for trellis. If you want to achieve more colours, you can plant ground covers.
- Select the Right Type of Tree
A large number of trees pose a great risk to your sewer line because they have roots that can block or penetrate the sewer line leading to pipe relining. However, there are a few trees you can plant that pose fewer risks to your sewer lines.
11 Trees to Plant Near Sewerage Lines
- Hedge Maple Tree
It is a hardy tree featuring large green leaves. It is mostly used in landscaping for a hedge or screen. It can grow up to a height of about twenty-five to thirty-five feet while its canopy can grow up to a width of about twenty-five to thirty-five feet. The tree thrives in a wide range of soil types, under shade or sun. The most important thing is to ensure that the soil is well-drained. Hedge maple trees are perfect for planting near sewer lines since their roots do not go deep to reach the pipes.
- Yellow Buckeye Tree
It is an elegant tree featuring drooping roots and green leaves that change to a golden colour during the fall. Its leaves also turn yellow in warm months. This tree does well in well-drained soil and requires full sunlight for maximum growth. Moreover, it does well in acidic soil pH. A Yellow Buckeye can go up to about eighty feet in height and an optimal canopy width of fifty feet.
- Pearl Acacia Tree
It is a smaller tree that you can plant if you have a small yard. It grows up to around twenty feet high with a canopy of around ten to fifteen feet. This tree is native to Australia and features round green-grey leaves, beautiful white flowers, and a silver trunk. It can do well regardless of the type of soil in your yard. Its roots are shallow, making it less risky to plant near sewer lines.
- Purple Orchid Tree
It is a beautiful tree with pink-purple blossoms and silvery branches. You can plant it in your front yard near your water pipes or sewer lines. This tree grows to a height of about twenty to thirty-five feet with a similar canopy width. It can grow well in moist soil, either sand or loam or partial and full sun making it a great option for your yard.
- Bray Birch Tree
This tree is also perfect for planting in the vicinity of sewer lines. It grows up to a height of about thirty-five feet and a canopy of about ten feet. You can plant the tree if you have moist soil in your yard. One of the things you should note is that the tree is less resistant to drought.
- Japanese Maple Tree
It is a beautiful, slow-growing tree that does not interfere with sewer lines. It is a delicate but dense tree. It features a lacy foliage mound canopy with dark red, red, and green varieties. This tree can grow up to approximately twenty to twenty-five feet high. It is a great option to plant near sewer lines because of its shallow roots.
- Dogwood and Eastern Redbud Trees
These trees are a great option because of their ornamental spring blossoms. They can grow to a mature stage without harming your water pipes or sewer lines. The Redbud usually grows at a rate of about one to two feet every year and has a more elegant and open vase form. On the other hand, Dogwood is a narrow and straight tree. There are many varieties of Dogwood, with the dwarf species being the best since they have shallow root systems.
- Crabapple and Ginkgo Trees
Exotic ginkgo is popular because of its fan-shaped and veinless leaves. It is a slow-growing tree going up to just about a foot per year. This tree takes several years to attain maturity. A Crabapple tree has a low height but can spread in vast areas. Like its canopy, the roots usually spread wide but not deep, making the tree a great option to plant near sewer lines. This tree is loved by many because of its beautiful fruits and flowers.
- Cherry Tree
You can also plant cherry trees near sewer lines because of their shallow root system. Cherry trees are valuable because of their delicious fruits and their beauty when they blossom. All you need is well-drained fertile soil in your yard. These trees also need full sunlight for about eight hours a day. Therefore, you should avoid planting them where they will grow under the shade of other trees or structures.
- Flame Tree
A flame tree features fiery red, large and golden flowers blossoming from spring up to summer. Most people like it since its shallow roots do not reach the water pipes, making it a favourite for your yard too. You are advised to prune it in early spring and summer to control strong growth and maintain its good look. Doing so also allows it to develop an umbrella-shaped crown.
- Lilly Pilly Tree
It is a popular tree or hedge that is evergreen. The hedge produces edible purple and red fruits, making it a valuable species to plant in your yard. However, you need to note that not all species produce fruits. It features thick foliage with a glossy sheen making it a great option to plant as a windbreaker, hedge, and ornamental plant in your yard.
This tree has a shallow root system, making it a great option to plant near sewer lines. It is also hardy, meaning it can do well in different settings. To prevent Lilly Pilly trees from becoming huge, you need to prune them regularly.
Choose Trees with Shallow Roots to Plant Near Sewers
The above are just some of the trees you can plant near your sewer line and have no worries about a blocked drain. They are a great option for your yard because of their narrow root system. Their roots do not go deep, so they cannot put pressure or clog your home’s sewer line. You should avoid adding too much soil when you plant these trees near the water pipes. This is necessary to ensure that effective evaporation occurs.
In addition, you should avoid overwatering any plants you plant near the sewer system. Take all the aforementioned factors into consideration so that you can get the best from these trees and avoid damages that may lead to costly sewer and drain repairs.
