Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Friday - August 17, 2012

From: Winter Park, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Planting, Trees
Title: Cypress trees near pool in Winter Park FL
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

I live in Winter Park (Orlando) Florida. I have been gifted two potted cypress trees that I need to get into the ground. The only place I can plant them is in my backyard in between a stand of non-invasive bamboo trees. I cannot plant them in my front yard as I have a septic tank and drainfield. My concern is that I have an in ground pool and if I planted the cypress out back they would be approx 20 feet from the edge of the pool. Is this safe? If not, how far should I plant the cypress from the pool, septic tank and drainfield? Thanks. Lisa

ANSWER:

Unless there is some compelling reason to do otherwise, we strongly suggest you hold off on removing from their pots and replanting those cypresses until cooler weather, like November to January. Put the pots in the appropriate amount of sunlight, make sure the pots have good drainage and water them.

Now, when you say "cypress" we can't seem to find any native cypresses that would be appropriate for potting. We are guessing you may have a Lemon Cypress. Lemon cypress is a cultivar of Cupressus macrocarpa (Monterey cypress), a native of California. These seem to be very popular in the U.K., at least on the Internet, where they would be indoor potted plants.

From our previous Mr. Smarty Plant answers, we found one on care of a lemon cypress tree, from Winter Springs, FL. There are some more links in that answer about outdoor gardening with this plant.

If you go to this USDA Plant Profile Map on Cupressus macrocarpa (Monterey cypress), you will see that it is native to California and introduced into Puerto Rico, but not Florida.

If you follow this link to Cupressus macrocarpa (Monterey cypress), you will find that is very NOT like the lemon cypress, but that is at close as we come to anything from our Native Plant Database.

So, after wandering around a bit, back to the subject of where to plant those trees. First, not in the front over the septic tank and drainfield. Woody plants will get their roots into that field, seeking moisture, quick as a wink.

We believe that because the cupressus roots tend to be somewhat fibrous, but also woody, that 20' from your pool would be sufficient.

 

More Planting Questions

Problems with Blackfoot Daisy from Lewisville, TX
April 23, 2013 - I planted a row of Melampodium leucanthum (Blackfoot Daisy) last spring at the front of the front yard, next to the sidewalk. It's full sun, east facing, unamended black clay gumbo soil. I put mulc...
view the full question and answer

Problems with Habiturf in Austin
May 10, 2014 - I have been trying to establish a Habiturf lawn in my back yard. It is approximately a 1,000 square foot area and this last seeding was the third over about one and a half years. I just recently over ...
view the full question and answer

Cenizo as a Foundation Plant in Austin
December 09, 2010 - We live next to the wildflower center. We would like to plant "Leucophyllum frutescens". We are hoping to use this as a foundation plant. Will it survive if planted in Dec. Please offer any tips ...
view the full question and answer

Gardening book for beginner gardener
December 06, 2008 - What is a good gardening book for a beginner gardener who lives in Round Rock. Would like info for both vegetables and plants for landscaping. Thanks.
view the full question and answer

native plants for landscaping in Honolulu
January 08, 2012 - Hi, wildflower.org has been a great help for me in learning about different plants, their Latin names and characteristics. I was looking for a list of plants (trees, shrubs, ground covers, perennials...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.