Plant a Tree for National Gardening Month, But Not Too Close To Your Pipes

It’s April, and Spring has finally sprung.

In honor of National Gardening Month, we challenge all of our lovely customers to go and give back to mother earth, by planting a tree today.

But, don’t go planting your arborous friends all willy nilly. Tree roots can actually be detrimental to your property’s pipelines, if not planned and planted carefully. Here are 3 tips to keep in mind as you celebrate National Gardening Month:

1. Be selective in what type of tree you choose to plant.
No type of tree or plant is technically safe around sewer lines and pipes. At the end of the day, all could potentially penetrate, or even block your lines given enough time.

However, it is helpful to keep in mind that some tree types are less problematic than others. For safe landscaping additions for your plumbing, slow growing trees with smaller roots are usually a safe bet. Here are our top recommendations:

• Emerald Green Arborvitae
  Slower growth rate
  Mature size: 20’ tall x 4’ wide
  Likes full sun and partial shade
• Red Pointe Maple
  Moderate growth rate
  Mature size: 50’ tall x 30’ wide
• Thundercloud Plum
  Moderate Growth rate
  Mature size: 20’ tall x 20’ wide
  Bonus: Single pink flowers in early spring
• Japanese Maple
  Moderate to slow growth rate, especially when matured
  Mature size: varieties offer range from 8’ to 30’ tall and wide.
  Bonus: Beautiful leaves
• Cherry Blossom
  Moderate growth rate
  Mature size: 15’-30’ tall and wide
  Bonus: Little maintenance required, and beautiful pink flowers bloom during early spring

2. Be sure to have a safe planting distance from your sewer lines.

Be sure to keep all plants at least 15 feet away from your sewer lines. Roots tend to spread over time, and even if you think you have a safe distance, with enough time, they could eventually penetrate and disrupt your sewage lines.

3. Be on the lookout for clogs and leaks down the road.

Even if you take utmost precaution when planting new trees, that doesn’t mean there could be a chance of tree roots making their way to your sewer line. Be on the lookout for slow-flowing water, or even clogging drains. It could be a sign that a pesky root made its way into one of the pipes beneath your home’s landscaping.

If you do notice any sudden clogging or issues with your home’s sewage line, don’t fret! Give one of our plumbing professionals a call to inspect the area to ensure your pipes are clear of any invasive roots.

The Bob Oates team hopes everyone has a happy and sunny Spring this year.

Happy planting, everyone!