Guide to planting trees and shrubs near sewerage drains
Trees must be planted so that their mature canopy* does not come within two metres of Muswellbrook Shire Council’s sewer assets.
Tree, vine and shrub roots are a major cause of pipe blockages in the urban environment. Roots tap into soil moisture and nutrients, and when these are not readily available in the soil, many species will detect the slightest leak or fault in drainage systems. Once tree roots break into a sewer or stormwater pipe, they continue to grow and restrict the passage of water and sewage. In severe cases, the roots can break the pipe.
When planning your landscaping or garden planting it is advisable to locate trees no closer than the recommended distance from sewer pipes. The trees listed in the following tables are intended only as a guide. For professional advice on suitable trees and shrubs, talk to your local nursery.
| Botanical name | Local name |
|---|---|
| Acacia buxifolia | Box-leaved Wattle |
| Arbutus unedo | Irish Strawberry Tree |
| Banksia ericifolia | Heath Banksia |
| Bauhinia x blakeana | Hong Kong Orchid, or Butterfly Tree |
| Callistemon citrinus | Crimson Bottlebrush |
| Citrus x limon | Lemon |
| Euonymus Japonica | Evergreen Spindle Tree |
| Genista tinctorial | Broom |
| Hibiscus tiliaceus | Coast Cottonwood |
| Hymenosporum flavum | Native Frangipani |
| Logerstroemia indica | Pink Crepe Myrtle |
| Malus (species) | Flowering Crabapples |
| Nerium oleander | Oleander |
| Pyracantha (species) | Firethorn |
| Viburnum linus | Laurustinus |
| Botanical name | Local name |
|---|---|
| Alnus acuminata | Evergreen alder |
| Angophora costata | Smooth-barked Apple Myrtle |
| Backhousia citriodora | Lemon Scented Myrtle |
| Betula pendula | Silver Birch |
| Brachychiton acerifolius | Illawarra Flame Tree |
| Buckinghamia celsissima | Ivory-curl tree |
| Elaeocarpus eumundii | Eumundi Quondong |
| Eucalyptus cinerea | Argyle Apple |
| Fraxinus excelsior “Aurea” | Golden Ash |
| Liquidambar styraciflua | Liquidambar |
| M. styphelioides | Prickly Paperbark |
| Melaleuca armillaris | Bracelet Honeymyrtle |
| Sophora japonica | Pagoda Tree |
| Sorbus aucuparia | Rowan, Mountain Ash |
| Wisteria sinensis | Chinese Wisteria |
| Botanical name | Local name |
|---|---|
| Acer negundo | Box Elder Maple |
| Casuarina cunninghamiana | River Oak |
| Celtis australis | Southern Nettle Tree |
| E. globulus | Californian Blue Gum |
| E. sideroxylon | Mugga or Red Ironbark |
| Ficus (species) | Evergreen figs |
| Fraxinus oxycarpa | Desert or Caucasian Ash |
| Pinus (species) | Pines |
| Populus (species) | Poplars |
| Quercus (species) | Oaks |
| Salix (species) | Willows |
| Tipuana tipu | Pride of Bolivia |
| Ulmus (species) | Elms |
This page last updated 16 February, 2012 12:10 PM
