Trees are staples in landscaping designs, but root infiltration can pose hazards to water and utility lines on your property. When visiting a tree farm or nursery center, choose trees that won’t cause expensive damage. Below are four plant and tree types that are safe to use near underground pipes.

Which Plants and Trees Are Safe to Plant Near Plumbing?

1. Boxwood

This species of evergreen grows slowly and offers continuous beauty throughout the year. Its root system isn’t aggressive or expansive, so it’s not likely to damage plumbing or underground structures.

2. Japanese Maple

Japanese maples offer vivid foliage colors from spring through fall, and the varieties range from a shrub to a small tree. Their roots are noninvasive and pose little threat to plumbing, and they’re popular at nurseries because of their distinctive appearance. There are different cultivars available that offer different colors and characteristics to suit your landscape design and aesthetic.

3. Ginkgo

Ginkgo trees offer unique foliage with broad, fan-shaped leaves. They’re known for their vibrant yellow coloring in the fall before shedding their leaves. This hardy species grows well in cities because it is pollution-resistant, and its growth rate is slow to medium, meaning the roots are unlikely to invade plumbing.

4. Crabapple

There are several varieties of flowering crabapples you can choose from to suit the aesthetics of your yard. Their root systems tend to be shallow and grow near the surface.  They aren’t invasive or aggressive, so they won’t puncture your plumbing. The fruit is edible and can be used in cooking; they’re especially tasty in jams, jellies, or butters.

The quality of your landscaping depends on the quality of the nursery center you get your plants from. Glynn Young’s Landscaping & Nursery Center in Nicholasville, KY, boasts over 6 acres of plants and trees to choose from, with over 30 years of experience in the field. They also offer professional landscape design services, so they’ll recommend species suited to your soil that don’t pose a threat to your utility lines. Learn more about their tree farm online, and call (859) 885-6100 to arrange a landscape design consultation.