Hello again. Working on my deck designs and trying to plan around medium to large trees. How much space should I leave between the tree and the deck? Might have to move my pool design around. Thoughts?
Decking around or close to trees
- Thread starter A1Texan
- Start date
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,486
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Depends on the type of tree. How much will the tree grow over the next 25 years? What type of root system does the tree have and how wide does its roots spread? You risk decks heaving due to roots under it growing.
What type of deck surface?
What type of deck surface?
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,053
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Could depend on the trees you have to deal with and their growth rate. Maybe post a pic of the area so we can see what you have to work with?
This is a Monterrey Oak about 4 years old. Hope this helps. My suggested pool size is taped off
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,486
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
That oak tree is too close to the pool. The tree will grow tall and wide and will drop lots of stuff in the pool. It's root system is typically as wide as it's crown and will be growing under the deck towards the pool. It has to be removed in my opinion.
Thanks Allen. I can move the pool layout and angle it more towards the left about 4 feet. I really want to keep the tree. This type of oak doesn't shed massive amounts of leaves and stays green most of the year.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,486
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Well the farther from the tree the better. Will the skimmers be on the near side or the far side of the tree?
Your operative word is "massive." You will be cleaning the pool after every storm from the tree stuff. Just beware that tree will cause the pool to require constant attention and cleaning. If you get tired of it you can take your chainsaw to it later.
The tree flowers and sheds and you don't see how much stuff it drops on the lawn. You will see it all on your pool water.
Your operative word is "massive." You will be cleaning the pool after every storm from the tree stuff. Just beware that tree will cause the pool to require constant attention and cleaning. If you get tired of it you can take your chainsaw to it later.
The tree flowers and sheds and you don't see how much stuff it drops on the lawn. You will see it all on your pool water.
Yes the skimmers would be on the same side. As much as it pains me, if I have to remove it I will.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,486
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Mostly from the southwest here in Texas during the summer months. So that would put it just over the deep end of the pool.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,486
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
That doesn't let me orient the wind direction with the pictures.
Will the wind be blowing tree stuff towards the pool or away from the pool?
Will the prevailing wind blow towards your skimmers?
The prevailing winds will affect your pool more than you might think.
If you look at the shadows in the pictures, that is the way the wind blows. So the tree shadow goes over the top edge of the pool the skimmer would be parallel to the tree. Does this help?
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,486
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
I would place the skimmers on the other, long side so the prevailing wind blows the water and stuff on top of the water into the skimmer. The wind moves the surface of your water more then the water circulation does.
Thanks Allen. I'll look into that with the PB once I pick one out. I may also have to change my design to accommodate the tree some. So much to think about. I thought I was planning correctly when I planted the tree several years ago by leaving the center of the yard open while still giving me some shade. I'm sure more changes to come 
Thanks again for your feedback!
Thanks again for your feedback!
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,486
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Glad to help. Run your designs by us as you develop them. There is lots of real world experience here.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but in my "professional" opinion, you have 2 options:
1: Remove the tree now
2: Remove the tree after it starts to cause trouble with your pool and decking
1: Remove the tree now
2: Remove the tree after it starts to cause trouble with your pool and decking
As much as I love the tree I will concur they are a pitfa. Mine are in the neighbors yard and hang over my fence. They are about 5-10 feet from the pool and every winter and spring it is a nightmare to clean out the leaves and sheddings.
Thanks everyone. I got home and looked at it all again and it's best to just remove the tree during the dig. I'll be able to square up the pool more and have more decking. Another decision made
Thanks everyone. I got home and looked at it all again and it's best to just remove the tree during the dig. I'll be able to square up the pool more and have more decking. Another decision made
If you end up missing it that much, trees are relatively cheap! You can always get another one to put in somewhere else.
That is a shame. As much as it pains me (I have loads of trees, have planted more trees on my property, and I used to be a Shade Tree Commissioner) I think you have made the right decision to remove that tree.
