What kind of trees can you plant over a septic field?

What kind of trees can you plant over a septic field?

If you must grow trees and shrubs, shallow-rooted kinds are better to grow around septic tank drain fields….Shallow-rooted trees and shrubs include:

• Dogwood trees.
• Japanese maple trees.
• Eastern redbud trees.
• Cherry trees.
• Azalea shrubs.
• Boxwood shrubs.
• Holly shrubs.
• Dwarf tree varieties.

How far should trees be from leach field?

Large trees are more likely to have extended root systems that can damage your leach field. Avoid planting beech, elm, birch, maple, willow or poplar trees close to your leach field. Never plant any tree closer than 10 feet to the edge of your leach field.

Can you plant trees on a Drainfield?

Placing trees or shrubs over or near the leach field is risky. Woody plants have deeper roots that may clog drain pipes in relatively short order. Water-loving species are especially chancy and should be avoided, such as willow, poplar, elm, red and silver maple, birch and beech.

Can you plant trees over a septic system?

You definitely shouldn’t plant large shrubbery or trees anywhere near your septic tank. Any trees planted in your yard should be at least as far away from the septic tank as the tree is tall. For example, a 20-foot-tall tree should be planted at least 20 feet away from the septic tank.

Why is my grass dying over my leach field?

As temperatures increase, grass draws more moisture from the soil beneath it. The soil above leach lines is shallower than the soil in the rest of the lawn, so it holds less water compared to the rest of the lawn, causing grass directly above the lines to dry out and turn yellow.

What can you put on top of a leach field?

Herbaceous plants, such as annuals, perennials, bulbs and ornamental grasses are generally the best choices for use on a septic drain field. Ornamental grasses also offer the advantages of having a fibrous root system that holds soil in place, and providing year-round cover.

Can you plant fruit trees near a leach field?

The short answer is it’s better to keep fruits and vegetables away from septic systems, especially septic drainfields but above-ground crops such as fruit trees are less likely to be contaminated. Watch out: do not plant root crops over a drainfield. They may be contaminated with sewage bacteria.

Can I plant a palm tree near my septic tank?

Only a few trees are considered safe for septic systems, and they are deep-rooted trees like cherry, crabapple, dogwood, oak, olive, palm trees and pine trees.

Is it safe to play on a leach field?

Play. Children and pets can run and play safely on the grass above the drain field. Your family can walk on a well-maintained drain field without fear of encountering puddles of affluent and dangerous bacteria. Bicycles and tricycles are also acceptable because they are not heavy enough to compress or disturb the soil.

What can you do on top of a septic field?

Do’s Around the Drain Field

• Play. Children and pets can run and play safely on the grass above the drain field.
• Landscape. While grass is the best choice for ground cover, other options are acceptable.
• Heavy Traffic.
• Permanent Covers.
• Gardens.
• Landscaping.

Is lawn fertilizer safe for septic systems?

Are Chemical Lawn Treatments Harmful to Your Septic System? When correctly applied, chemical lawn treatments are not harmful to your septic system. Fertilizers, pesticides, and weed killers are designed to dissolve and be absorbed by the soil and underlying root structure of your lawn.

How often should you pump your septic?

every three to five years
Inspect and Pump Frequently The average household septic system should be inspected at least every three years by a septic service professional. Household septic tanks are typically pumped every three to five years.

What kind of trees are safe near septic fields?

Some trees have less aggressive roots and may do less rapid or less extensive damage if they are a bit nearer to septic fields. These include: Ornamental trees such as Cherry, Crabapple trees, and Dogwood trees. Some Pine trees (but not the Monterey pine) and Sourwoods.

How close to a septic system can I plant a tree?

As we mentioned in our previous blog, any trees or shrubs that you plant should be planted as far from the your septic system as they are tall. So a tree that reaches 30 feet in maturity will need to be planted at least 30 feet away from your septic system. Here at Septic Remedies,…

Is it safe to grow food around a septic field?

It is not safe to eat food crops grown in the ground around a drain field because eating them might entail ingesting harmful bacteria. If you must grow trees and shrubs, shallow-rooted kinds are better to grow around septic tank drain fields.

What can I plant around my septic tank drain field?

Perennials and grasses (including ornamental grasses) work best around your septic tank and drain field. Their shallow root systems are less likely to invade the underground system and cause it damage.