Your septic tank has thick pipes running across and through your property. Due to the necessity of these pipes, you may wonder what you can plant near this area safely. Unfortunately, there are several species of trees that can cause serious damage to a drain field and a septic tank, so you do have to be careful. However, by using the tips and information here, you can feel confident you have found a few good options.
What to Plant Near or Over Your Septic Tank?
Forget everything you have heard to this point. When you choose the right type of tree or plant, it can actually help your septic system to keep things running properly and help to reduce the likelihood of erosion. The plants that are best for this area will typically have softer, green stems and be adapted to the amount of rain that is typically seen in your area.
Believe it or not, trees may also work too. The key is to choose ones that have shallow roots, and make sure that you don’t plant it too close to the actual tank.
Fruit Trees, Japanese Maples and Oak Trees
While it is possible to plant the three trees above near your septic tank, it can be tricky. After all, tree roots are naturally attracted to water sources. As a result, if you decide to plant your trees or your bushes near the septic system, it’s extremely likely they are going to make their way into the pipes and cause some problems. This is going to damage your home’s water flow, and the entire septic system.
However, if you are careful, you can put trees with non-invasive, shallow roots in the area around your drain field and septic tank. Some examples include crabapples and white oaks. It’s best to skip the Japanese maple, as these are extremely well-known for their pipe clogging abilities.
Other types of fruit trees aren’t going to be a very good match either. If you choose to put any type of vegetation close to your septic tank, it may wind up being contaminated by viral or bacterial elements. Just think about it…
Safe Trees for Septic Tank Areas
Below, you will find a list of trees that can be planted in and around the septic tank area. However, it’s still a good idea to get them as far away from your system as possible.
Some plants to consider for these areas include:
- The boxwood shrub
- Hemlock
- White oak
- White pine
- Pygmy date palm
- American holly
- Ornamental cherries
- Lady palm
- Dogwood
If you have more questions about trees and your septic system, the best thing you can do is reach out to the pros. They can help you figure out what trees are great for certain areas, and which ones should be avoided for the potential damage they may cause once fully grown. Also, keep the information here in mind, which provides a nice overview of this important topic.
