Trees Near Pool

by Lisa
(Illinois)

We are putting in an above ground pool and were wondering how close to trees can we place the pool?



Hi Lisa. Trees can cause problems with above ground pools so you are best putting the pool as far away from them as possible. The damage does not happen immediately but over the years it's very possible to see roots growing under your liner. They push the liner up and make the bottom a little lumpy. Since they grow horizontally they do not usually puncture the liner and as long as you vacuum very carefully you can usually live with them for a few years. So every liner change you would need to do a major root removal and then install a new base. I have many customers in this situation.

Any time I am installing a pool closer to trees than I would like to see I use several layers of black plastic under the sand. This tends to keep the roots out of the pool for a longer period of time and ads an extra protection for the liner.

If you poured a concrete slab for the pool you could put it as close to the trees as possible. The biggest pests of above ground pools are nut grass, tree roots and gophers. Concrete is the cure for all of those liner killers.

When installing a pool on concrete be sure to use the preformed pool cove and pool pad.

Above Ground Pool Preformed Pool Cove

There are other ways to prepare the ground when you suspect trees might be a problem. Using old carpeting as a liner cushion puts a nice barrier between the liner and tree roots. Plywood would do the job also. You might check with your local hardware stores, lumber yards and carpet outlets, see what you can find in the way of damaged material that you could buy for pennies on the dollar.

Above Ground Pool Landscaping