Are ornamental fruit trees (weeping cherry, pear, etc...) okay to plant near an inground swimming pool?

It's OK for the tree, but they will attract bees and birds to your pool area. Also, they (the trees and the birds) will drop a lot of unwanted debris into the pool.



The other thing to think about is the roots. If you plant near the pool, just keep them as far as possible away. Too many issues.
Are ornamental fruit trees (weeping cherry, pear, etc...) okay to plant near an inground swimming pool?
There are many beautiful flowering trees that you can plant near your pool, some of which have blooming periods that coincide with your pool season. The worry isn't so much that roots will somehow pierce your pool shell (unless, perhaps, it's vinyl), but rather that if the tree is too close it can disturb the coping or decking surrounding the pool. As far as the litter from flowers and leaves, it just means that you'll have be diligent about clearing them from the water surface, while in bloom or during the time the leaves drop. That's a tradeoff that some (including myself) are willing to take.



I'm in the process of building a pool right now and plan to install either some flowering dogwoods (cornus florida, or cornus kousa), California redbud, or crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia) as recommended in the book "Poolscaping: Gardening and Landscaping around your Swimming Pool and Spa". Some other great trees they recommend are: Silk tree (Mimosa) which have a wonderful canopy of puffy yellow flowers, Crab Apple (fruit and flowers), and Japanese Tree Lilac.
Reply:I concur with the two responses already given. The leaves would be a problem in the fall. I'm not aware of the root system of the mentioned plants being invasive but as roots grow larger in diameter, the pressure of the root under concrete could cause damage. I would call a pool installer to see what distance to keep plants from the pool they recommend.



If you want decorative plants, you could plant the trees in large pots mounted on casters (for mobility) might be a good alternative.
Reply:Probably your only concerns should be possible damage to the pool from roots and leaves in the pool. You will surely have the leaves, but maybe no root problems. Good luck.