Water-Loving Trees: The Best Trees for Wet Soil
Trees that Love Water: Water-Growing Trees
If there is a secret to life, it probably has to do with making decisions that are right for the situation at hand. This definitely holds true for tree planting. The most crucial aspect of planting a tree is choosing a tree that will flourish in the conditions your site provides, which comes before actually digging the hole. For instance, some trees can grow in moist soil, even though many of them prefer well-drained soil. Continue reading for some advice on choosing trees that thrive in damp, watery environments.
TREES GROWING IN SOFT SOIL
The first step in creating a successful landscape is figuring out what your backyard has to offer a tree. Not every tree will be happy in every site. To find out which trees will survive your winters, find out what your USDA hardiness zone is. It’s also critical to understand the type of soil and how exposed the site is to the sun.
Some trees simply cannot breathe in moist environments, which is why they die or grow poorly there. The majority of tree roots require air just as much as water. They will perish if they do not get air. However, some trees that thrive in water have evolved the capacity to form roots without the need for oxygen. Because of this, they can survive in marshy places where other trees would perish.
Certain trees thrive in damp environments or can withstand sporadic flooding, but be cautious—different trees that prefer moist soil have varying degrees of tolerance. While most trees that are categorized as “trees that grow in water” can tolerate damp soil, they might not withstand flooding.
DRAINAGE ISSUES WITH THE USE OF TREES
Regarding planting, drainage refers to the rate at which water percolates through the soil. Equal amounts of solid matter and pore space, which are occupied by water and air and are essential to plant growth, can be found in average soil.
There is not enough room for air because most of the pore space is filled with water in poorly drained soil. By planting trees that thrive in water, you can make this situation better. Despite having shorter roots, these water-tolerant trees are still able to absorb excess water from the soil. Increased oxygen penetration as a result leads to better soil filtration.
It is important to keep in mind that most water-loving trees have extensive roots, which may harm pipes (though not usually foundations) if you plan to plant them in damp areas. These trees will look for water elsewhere if they use up all of the water in the moist part of your yard. This may indicate that the tree will grow into water and sewer pipes in urban and suburban areas in its quest for more water.
Top Trees for Moist Environments
Online resources provide lists of trees that do better or worse in moist soil. Make sure you read the fine print on these websites, which explains the water tolerance of each tree, before using them.
For instance, river birch, which grows best in extremely moist soil and is frequently found near streams or riverbanks, is frequently included among the trees that can be found in water. This tree can withstand the occasional flood. However, when grown in the wild, red maples can withstand months of standing water; however, when used in a landscape, they cannot withstand flooding.
WATER STANDING AND WET SOIL TREES
The following list of trees can withstand standing water and/or moist soil:
Freeman Atlantic White Cedar Black Ash Bald Cypress Red maple, River Birch Swamp, Nuttall Oak, Pear, Pin Oak, Plane Tree, Pond Cypress, Pumpkin Ash, and Maple Cottonwood Marsh Magnolia Water Tupelo Sweetbay Tupelo Willow.
