So if you expect your tree to grow to 50 feet, plant it at least 50 feet away from all parts of your septic system, including the
Consider shallow-rooted trees and shrubbery (such as cherry trees, dogwood trees, holly shrubs, azalea shrubs and boxwood shrubs) for areas around the septic system, but keep them at least 10-15 feet away from your tank.
Choose plants with shallow roots, such as ornamental grasses, groundcovers, annuals, or perennials like azaleas, hydrangeas, lavender, or hollyhocks. Avoid most trees, shrubs, or water-loving plants with deep roots. Aggressively growing roots can damage the septic system.
In general, planting trees close to a septic field is not recommended. Fruit trees do not tolerate wet roots and may not survive if there is improper drainage. Also, it is best to avoid having tree roots entangle the septic pipes which may require a costly repair.
Planting gardens over, near and around septics is okay as long as the roots are shallow and are of plants that do not like water, except vegetable gardens. We do not recommend planting vegetable gardens over septic sytems and thier drain fields.
Selecting Plants
Grass or herbaceous vegetation that can be disturbed should be planted over the tank, so you won't hesitate to damage them. The roots of grass and other herbaceous plants can help remove excess moisture and nutrients and help the septic system work efficiently.
In order to keep your septic system running properly, you should avoid building on or near your leach field. While it's important to follow state and local building codes, plan to break ground at least 10 to 20 feet from where your leach field is buried.
Vegetable gardening over a leach field is a bad idea. Though properly functioning septic systems won't contaminate the soil with harmful pathogens, there is no easy way to guarantee that the crops grown over a leach field will be safe to eat.
You are definitely right to try to keep them as far as possible from the septic bed . Last thing you want is roots growing into the piping . Looks like arborvitae have shallow roots that don't spread too wide. You're probably alright if your right close to the property line.
There are special chemicals designed to kill tree roots in a septic tank system so they don't grow back. Copper sulfate septic treatments are the most common. This method is especially effective as it creates a poison barrier within the soil that kills the tree roots before they can grow into the pipe.
Household septic tanks are typically pumped every three to five years. Alternative systems with electrical float switches, pumps, or mechanical components should be inspected more often, generally once a year.
Avoidance of Compacted or Clayey Soils: Compacted or clayey soils have poor drainage characteristics and are not suitable for septic systems.
Boxwood (Buxus)
Boxwoods have shallow root systems, so they can easily be planted near your foundation without worry.
Roots will routinely extend past the dripline. Figure out the mature size of the trees you want, and put them 50-100% farther than the expected canopy diameter. For example, a 20ft canopy tree should be planted 15-20ft away. Plant native wildflower / pollinator mix on top of the leach field.
Are arborvitae roots aggressive or invasive? Thankfully, no! With a plant that gets this big, you'd think it has a monstrous root system to go along with it. Instead, it's mainly composed of shallow and thin fibrous roots that only spread as far as the aboveground width.
Planting grass over your leach field is the most common option and won't damage the equipment. A flower garden is a great option, and the nutrients from the leach field can create rich soil for flowers. Avoid trees, bushes, and shrubs, as the roots can disrupt the perforated pipes.
The best plants you can put on top of a septic drain or leach field are shallow-rooted herbaceous plants. These include perennials, bulbs, turf-grass, weeds, groundcovers, and more. A few examples are holly shrubs, boxwood shrubs, azalea shrubs, hollyhocks, wild violets, and spring bulbs.
While there is no hard and fast rule, and it will depend on many factors, it is a best practice to have any produce or fruit trees at least 10 feet from the perimeter of the leach field to avoid having the vegetables interact with incompletely cleaned water.
Tree roots are a septic system's worst nightmare. They surround the system for its water and damage the leach field and tank. Large roots have been known to crack septic tanks and make mincemeat out of drain fields. Plant trees away from the septic system to avoid root encroachment and damage.
Food Waste
Sending food items down your drains is never a good idea. If your home relies on a septic tank, even using a garbage disposal can end up causing problems for your system. While any food waste is risky, the following items are particularly hazardous: Coffee grounds.
The minimum recommended distance for a septic system from your house varies, but it's typically at least 10 to 20 feet, subject to local regulations and environmental factors.
Never build over a septic tank
Never build a structure over any portion of your septic system.
The septic tank, drain field and reserve area should remain clear of sprinkler lines, decks, patios, storage sheds, sand boxes, swing sets, paved or dirt driveways, parking areas and walkways. Adequate access to the components of the septic system is also critical for maintenance and pumping.