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Building Near Trees

Constructing In-Ground Swimming Pools Around Trees

By Keith BrownPublished Updated

Quite possibly the only thing better than being under a shade tree in the summer is taking a dip in the pool. If you are planning to build an in-ground pool near one of your prized trees be careful. You are going to be digging a big hole in the ground and will likely be taking many tree roots in the process.

The kind of tree you will be working around will be a big factor regarding the amount of disturbance the tree will tolerate. For example, live oaks will take a lot of abuse; I’ve seen pools built within a few feet of the trunk of a live oak and the tree survived. American Elms, however, do not fare well after substantial root injury.

My general rule of thumb for any construction around trees has been to try and give at least 15’ of clearance from the tree trunk. If you are digging or leveling the soil within 15’ you are asking for trouble. This holds especially true when digging out for a pool.

A good thing to do before you start digging is to use an airspade and dig some trenches to find out where you have big tree roots. An airspade is a high powered air compressor that can blow away dirt without damaging tree roots. Doing a few test digs will give you an idea of how much trouble you are getting into.

Regardless of your exact proximity to the tree trunk, any trees near the pool should be put on a fertilizer regimen to help the tree repair wounds and regrow root system. Often, trees that are not right next to the pool, but adjacent to the path used for equipment access get damaged, too. Don’t forget about these trees.

High traffic areas around the pool and along the access path should be de-compacted using an airspade to restructure the soil. This is critical to providing the trees a good soil environment for the roots to regrow.

The bottom line is that pools can be built near trees without having to sacrifice the trees. But, certain steps must be taken to ensure your pool design allows for sufficient tree preservation measures. You should go into the design process with an open mind and willingness to sacrifice some pool features to save your tall green friends.

The construction tree protection series

  1. Construction Site Tree Protection
  2. Protecting Trees Before Construction Starts
  3. Tree Protection During the Construction Process
  4. Post Construction Tree Care

Common questions

How far from a tree should an in-ground pool be dug?

My general rule of thumb for any construction around trees has been to try and give at least 15' of clearance from the tree trunk. If you are digging or leveling the soil within 15' you are asking for trouble, and this holds especially true when digging out for a pool.

Which trees tolerate pool construction best?

The kind of tree you will be working around will be a big factor regarding the amount of disturbance the tree will tolerate. For example, live oaks will take a lot of abuse — I've seen pools built within a few feet of the trunk of a live oak and the tree survived. American elms, however, do not fare well after substantial root injury.

How do I find out where the big roots are before digging a pool?

A good thing to do before you start digging is to use an air-spade and dig some trenches to find out where you have big tree roots. An air-spade is a high powered air compressor that can blow away dirt without damaging tree roots. Doing a few test digs will give you an idea of how much trouble you are getting into.

Do trees away from the pool need attention too?

Often, trees that are not right next to the pool but adjacent to the path used for equipment access get damaged too. Don't forget about these trees. High traffic areas around the pool and along the access path should be de-compacted using an air-spade to restructure the soil, which is critical to providing the trees a good soil environment for the roots to regrow.

Can a pool be built near a big tree without killing it?

Pools can be built near trees without having to sacrifice the trees, but certain steps must be taken to ensure your pool design allows for sufficient tree preservation measures. Go into the design process with an open mind and a willingness to sacrifice some pool features to save your tall green friends.

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