What kinds of trees should be kept farthest away from septic systems?
Trees considered to have deep and/or aggressive roots that are likely to damage a drainfield include: • Bamboo, Beech trees Fagus sp. and Birch trees Betula sp. Cypress trees Elm trees Ulmus sp. and Eucalyptus Pepper trees Pine trees, such as Monterey pine Poplar trees Populus sp. Maple trees, particularly red and silver maples Acer rubrum and Acer saccharinium Walnut trees Willow trees Salix sp are popularly known for “liking water” and will certainly send out long root systems. Kahn, Allen, Jones (book cited at Septic Systems Home-References) point out that certain of these trees such as bamboo, weeping willows, eucalyptus, cypress, Monterey pine, pepper, and walnut have particularly aggressive and deep roots. Keep such trees at least 100 feet from the nearest septic field component.
