Re: New to the forum and first time Pool Owner
I don't think I ever *liked* crepe myrtles -- I remember my mother and grandmother ooh-ing and aah-ing over them, and thinking, as a kit, "What the heck?" -- but I only *hate* them around pools. I don't think they should be allowed within 50 ft of a pool that doesn't have a live-on-site paid pool guy!
On the upside, if you *do* have a full-time pool guy, you can at least be assured he'll stay busy if you surround the pool with crap myrtles, and then set him the task of keeping the pool debris-free!
On the other hand, while crap myrtles mess up pools year round, they can't compare to the capability of some birch trees that can bring a pool to a grinding halt during spring time!
. . . And, for those of you who are thinking, wait this guy hates trees . . . well, you'd be completely wrong. I love trees. Susan and I have enjoyed learning to ID over 100 species in the Chickamauga National Park. But I know what some trees and decorative plants can do to pool care. Here's a quick list of trees -- not definitive, just off the top of my head -- and pool effectsl:
NEVER:
Crepe myrtles -- they dump *something* into the pool almost all year long.
Birches, generally -- spring seed pods can clog and shut down a pool -- I like birches alot, but NOT around pools!
Short leaf pines (Virginia, short-leaf, others) - needles pass through skimmers and pump baskets but can stick in pump impellers.
Cottonwoods -- If you've been around a cottonwood, you already know: if not, do you want your pool and deck coated in fluffy cotton ball like fibers?
Osage orange -- grapefruit sized hard fruit heavy enough to puncture a vinyl pool cover; thorns on male trees can be dangerously long -- nobody with sense wants to mow near these, unless they are in an enclosed tractor!
White mulberry -- non-native tree, now often planted decoratively, with heavier fruiting than native red mulberry tends to make an early summer mess even a flock of birds can't keep up with. I might forgive that on a red mulberry, since we eat any fruits we can find, but most humans find white mulberry fruits unpalatable.
Post Oak, Water oak -- oaks with a tendency to drop heavy limbs don't belong near pools!
Sycamore -- One of my favorite trees, but outer layers of bark can fall of in sheets during summer storms -- not every year, but regularly.
Mimosa -- OMG, not near your pool. This non-native fast growing tree is an absolute monument in my childhood memories, but between huge quantities of rather odd early summer flowers and massive quantities of late summer pods, you do NOT want these monsters near your pool or deck.
PROBABLY NOT
Black walnuts -- the nuts can cause horrendous stains, but that might not be a problem if you close your pool before they really start falling.
Longer leaf pines (loblolly, long-leaf, etc) -- as above, but the longer needles are less likely to penetrate strainers. If they do, they are more likely to clog the impeller. If you have a bunch of these within thunderstorm range of your pool, you need to clean your pump basket and pool skimmer quickly after each storm.
Oaks -- leaves can stain pools permanently, acorns can be a mess -- but if you close and cover before things fall may be OK.
Red mulberry -- can leave messy, but very tasty fruits, but the ones we see get scoured by birds and wildlife before much hits the ground -- if you like mulberry fruits, you may not mind the mess (or even have one!).
Hickory (many types) -- huge mess if you let the nuts into the pool -- may not be an issue with a well maintained cover.
Red bug -- common, attractive low tree. Fall pods could be a problem if pool is not covered and is downwind of the tree.
Persimmon -- heavily fruiting trees could turn a pool deck into a messy slime. If you *like* the fruits (I do!), you may not mind. Everyone should eat a green persimmon, once during their life. It's an experience you'll never forget!
Hackberry -- There are two species, but unless you're a specialist, you probably can't tell which is which - fast growing, ugly trees, that spring up in along fence lines (ie, where birds poop!). They have small leaves which tend to shed all summer long, and drift considerable distances.
MAYBE:
Southern red cedar: OK, I guess, but fairly ugly. And, prickly -- don't bump into one while in a swim suit!
Southern magnolia: shouldn't be a problem, as long as the pool isn't directly under the tree.
Flowering dogwood: Another of my favorite trees, now decimated by a non-native virus. Spring time berries might be a problem, but usually the pool won't be under the tree.
NOT SURE:
Beech trees -- I love these trees, and think they might be OK. But I've never actually lived around them, so I'm not sure.
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I'm going to stop this here; it's overkill for this thread anyhow. BUT, should I move and expand it, and put it in the critter's section as 'guide to trees for pools?'? I'll have to think about that, but I'd be interested in any reactions or comments.
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