What Are The Worst Trees For Your Drains? [2023 Edition]

It's no secret that Australians enjoy the outdoors. Because of this, many Aussie households tend to see their yards as no less than an extension of their indoor living space. We see it as somewhere to entertain, relax, and play. So, as with any part of the home, we like for it to look appealing and feel inviting.

The garden itself plays a big role in this. Often people will plant flowers for colour, shrubs to fill space, and trees to create privacy and shade. But, when it comes to planting certain trees, things can get a little messy.

Some trees are known to have rapid growing root systems that will seek out water and nutrients in the closest form they can find. If they happen to be planted within the vicinity of your home, this puts your water pipes and sewer lines at a considerable risk. These risks, if left unchecked, can cause extensive damage to your home's plumbing system.

Which Trees to Avoid Planting

Willow Trees

Willow trees are known to be incredibly problematic due to their aggressive root systems. The roots of a willow tree tend to grow rapidly, seeking out moisture and nutrients in excess, which often leads the roots straight to your drains and sewer lines.

With willow trees, even the smallest leak in your pipe system will give them the access they need to infiltrate your plumbing system, resulting in a blocked drain. It is these blockages that can then lead to serious plumbing problems that may require costly repairs.

Eucalyptus

This might surprise you as this Australian native can be found everywhere, however eucalyptus trees are notorious for causing plumbing problems due to their water demand. These native trees have invasive root systems that can span up to 30 metres in length when searching for water.

In addition to this, the root system of a gum tree is usually fairly shallow. So, not only is there the risk of their roots infiltrating your plumbing system, there is also the possibility that severe weather could cause the tree to fall and rip out your drain pipes in the process.

Oak Trees

The slow growing oak tree species is known to produce some of the largest and most sturdy trees. But, while they might look nice, their root systems are known to cause havoc. Not only can these root systems slowly rip up your home's foundations, they are also experts at infiltrating and damaging underground plumbing systems.

These root systems start out with one taproot that is sent straight down into the ground to provide nutrients and stability while the tree begins to grow. The main issue starts when the lateral supplement roots begin to grow. These roots can span great lengths in search of water, and, much like the willow tree, will take advantage of the smallest access points in your water pipes and sewer lines. The result is often an incredibly damaging blocked drain.

Jacaranda Trees

This one might devastate a few people, but Jacaranda trees are not all that friendly when it comes to your plumbing system. In fact, like your willow and your oak, they have an extensive root system that is known to be able to travel great lengths in search of water. This again puts your water pipes and sewer lines at risk of a complete root infiltration.

Although, despite them being beautiful and bright, you might not miss the mess they leave when they start dropping flowers.

Palm Trees

Now these are a classic go to in Brisbane and Gold Coast areas, however they can become a bit of a nuisance overtime. Unlike any of the aforementioned trees, palm trees are not necessarily considered destructive because of their root systems. The issue with palm trees lies with the seeds they constantly drop. These seeds are known to clog up gutters and block stormwater drains if they are not cleared regularly.

Minimise the Risk

Whilst these are only a few of the species that can cause significant problems for your plumbing, it should be mentioned that essentially any plant or tree can cause a blockage in your pipes. That doesn't mean you shouldn't be gardening, it simply means you may need to research what you are planting and ensure it is planted far enough from any underground pipes.

Being on top of any possible plumbing issues is also a great way to ensure you aren't going to get stuck with expensive blocked drains and damage repairs down the track. Here at Jetset Plumbing we use CCTV drain cameras to locate any potential problems before they snowball out of control.

So, if you think you might be dealing with an underground leak or a blocked drain, contact your local Gold Coast plumbers or Brisbane plumbers today.