Choosing trees to plant around a pool means balancing shade and privacy against roots, falling leaves, and the space a mature tree will occupy. I’d start with the Perfect Plants Windmill Palm for a narrower footprint and a poolside look with less broad canopy, or choose the Perfect Plants Weeping Willow when generous shade matters more and the yard has room for a very large tree. Both arrive as live plants, and both have shipping restrictions for California and Arizona.
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The tradeoff is clear: the willow grows wide and fast, so it can cast more shade but calls for careful placement and room to mature. The palm stays comparatively narrow and tolerates drought and salt after establishment, but its climate range is limited to zones 8–11 and it offers a different, more filtered kind of shade. I rank these picks by how well their mature size, growing conditions, and maintenance implications fit a pool setting.
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Key Takeaways
- Windmill palm is the more space-conscious pick: its stated mature width of 6–10 feet is far narrower than the willow’s roughly 35-foot spread.
- Weeping willow is the shade-first choice: it can form a large canopy, but its mature size makes careful distance from the pool and structures essential.
- Climate can decide the choice: the windmill palm is listed for USDA zones 8–11, while the willow’s listing contains conflicting zone information that buyers should verify.
- Poolside cleanup favors the palm by form: it does not have the willow’s broad, arching canopy, though both trees can drop plant material and need routine care.
- Neither ships to California or Arizona: check availability and local growing conditions before planning around either listing.
| Perfect Plants Windmill Palm Tree, 3 Gallon Live Plant |  | Best Overall for a Narrow Poolside Footprint | Plant type: Live windmill palm | Container size: 3 gallon | USDA hardiness zones: 8–11 | VIEW ON AMAZON | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Perfect Plants Weeping Willow Tree, 5–6 ft, Live Plant |  | Best for Broad Shade in a Spacious Yard | Plant height: 5–6 feet | Mature height: 30–40 feet | Mature width: About 35 feet | VIEW ON AMAZON | See Our Full Breakdown |
| trees to plant around a pool | Mature height | Mature width | Sunlight | Moisture |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perfect Plants Windmill Palm T | 25–30 feet | 6–10 feet | Full sun | Moderate watering; drought-tolerant once established |
| Perfect Plants Weeping Willow | 30–40 feet | About 35 feet | Full sun | Moderate watering |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Perfect Plants Windmill Palm Tree, 3 Gallon Live Plant
The Perfect Plants Windmill Palm is my first pick when the planting strip beside a pool is limited. Its listed mature width of 6–10 feet gives buyers a more contained shape than the willow’s roughly 35-foot spread. That narrower form can make planning around a deck or pool edge easier, although it still grows to 25–30 feet tall and needs a site with adequate overhead room.
Its fan-shaped fronds give it a recognizable palm profile, rather than the heavy canopy and arching branches of the willow. That makes the palm a better match for buyers who want a vertical, coastal-style accent and are comfortable with more filtered shade. The willow is the stronger candidate if the goal is a broad area of shade; the palm’s appeal is its more modest width, not equivalent shade coverage.
The listed range is USDA zones 8–11, and the product says it tolerates drought and salt once established. Those traits may suit some coastal yards, but they do not remove the need to water a new planting or check local conditions. It prefers full sun and sandy soil according to the listing, so a shaded or heavy-soil planting area may be a poor fit. Like the willow, it cannot ship to California or Arizona. I’d skip it if your climate falls outside its stated zones or if you want a dense canopy over the pool.
Pros:- Stated mature width of 6–10 feet takes less lateral space than the willow.
- Drought- and salt-tolerant once established, according to the product description.
- Fan-shaped green fronds create a distinct coastal look.
- Listed as suitable for full sun and sandy soil.
Cons:- The 25–30-foot mature height still requires thoughtful placement.
- Its zone range of 8–11 limits where it is a suitable choice.
- A narrow palm form will not provide the willow’s broad shade canopy.
- Shipping is unavailable to California and Arizona.
Best for: Pool owners in USDA zones 8–11 who want a relatively narrow, upright tree with a palm look and can provide full sun.
Not ideal for: Buyers outside zones 8–11, anyone seeking broad, dense shade, or gardeners who need a tree that ships to California or Arizona.
- Plant type:Live windmill palm
- Container size:3 gallon
- USDA hardiness zones:8–11
- Mature height:25–30 feet
- Mature width:6–10 feet
- Sunlight:Full sun
- Soil type:Sandy soil
- Moisture:Moderate watering; drought-tolerant once established
- Shipping restrictions:Does not ship to California or Arizona
Our verdict“Choose the windmill palm for a sunny poolside space where a narrow footprint and palm form matter more than extensive shade.”
Perfect Plants Weeping Willow Tree, 5–6 ft, Live Plant
If shade is the main reason for planting near a pool, the Perfect Plants Weeping Willow has the larger presence of these two options. It arrives at 5–6 feet and is described as fast-growing, with graceful branches and light-green foliage. At maturity, the listing gives a height of 30–40 feet and a width of about 35 feet. That scale may suit a roomy landscape where a substantial canopy is welcome, but it is a poor match for a narrow planting bed.
Compared with the windmill palm, the willow is the clear choice for a more extensive shade tree. The palm stays narrower and has fan-shaped fronds, while this willow’s arching crown is designed to spread. The same feature that helps shade a seating area can bring more canopy and branch presence near the pool. The supplied description does not specify root behavior or a safe planting distance, so I would get site-specific advice before placing it near pool structures or paving.
The willow prefers full sun and moderate watering, and the listing includes plant food and a care guide. Those additions give a new owner some basic support, but they do not change the tree’s eventual footprint or make it a low-space choice. There is also a hardiness mismatch to resolve before purchase: one spec says zone 3, while the title states zones 4–9. I would verify that range for your location. Like the palm, this tree does not ship to California or Arizona.
Pros:- Arching branches and light-green foliage create a graceful shade-tree form.
- Fast growth can establish a substantial presence sooner than a slower-growing choice.
- Includes plant food and a care guide.
- Full-sun placement suits an open area.
Cons:- A mature width of about 35 feet requires substantial space.
- The listing gives conflicting hardiness information: zone 3 in the specs and zones 4–9 in the title.
- Its broad canopy makes it less suited than the palm to a narrow poolside strip.
- Shipping is unavailable to California and Arizona.
Best for: Owners with a spacious, sunny yard who want a large shade tree and can plan for a canopy around 35 feet wide.
Not ideal for: Pool owners with limited planting space, anyone seeking a narrow or compact tree, or buyers who need shipping to California or Arizona.
- Plant height:5–6 feet
- Mature height:30–40 feet
- Mature width:About 35 feet
- Growth rate:Fast-growing; trunk growth stated as 8–10 feet per year
- Sunlight:Full sun
- Hardiness information:Specs state zone 3; title states zones 4–9
- Moisture:Moderate watering
- Included:Plant food and care guide
- Shipping restrictions:Does not ship to California or Arizona
Our verdict“Choose the weeping willow when broad shade and room to accommodate a large tree outweigh a compact poolside footprint.”
How We Picked
I compared these two live trees as poolside planting choices, focusing on the traits that change how they work beside water: mature height and width, growing-zone fit, sunlight and moisture needs, and the likely balance between shade and maintenance. A tree’s mature dimensions matter more than the size it arrives at; a five- or six-foot plant can eventually take up a large portion of a yard.
The ranking reflects distinct uses rather than a claim that one tree suits every pool. I put the windmill palm first for a typical space-conscious pool edge because its stated width is substantially smaller and its upright fronds create a different footprint from a broad shade tree. I place the weeping willow second as the better shade option, since its wide spread can be an asset in a spacious yard but a liability near paving, buildings, or a compact pool area.
I use the supplied product details and treat the zone discrepancy in the willow listing cautiously: its specs say USDA zone 3, while the title states zones 4–9. I would confirm the intended hardiness range with the seller and check local advice before buying. Poolside placement also depends on site conditions, including drainage, soil, and local rules; the product descriptions do not provide root behavior or a recommended planting distance, so I do not assume either tree is safe at any particular distance from a pool.
| trees to plant around a pool | Moisture |
|---|---|
| Perfect Plants Windmill Palm T | Moderate watering; drought-tolerant once established |
| Perfect Plants Weeping Willow | Moderate watering |
Factors to Consider When Choosing Trees To Plant Around A Pool
I’d choose a poolside tree by starting with the mature footprint and local growing conditions, then deciding how much shade the site can handle. The willow and palm represent two different priorities: canopy versus a narrower profile.Plan for the mature footprint
Compare the mature measurements with the space available, rather than judging by the shipped plant. The willow is listed at about 35 feet wide; the windmill palm at 6–10 feet wide. Those dimensions describe very different commitments beside a pool. Mark out the anticipated area and consider nearby buildings, fences, seating, and access routes. Ask a local arborist or landscape professional about appropriate setbacks for your site, since the listings do not give pool-specific planting distances or root guidance.
Decide how much shade you want
A large, spreading canopy makes the willow the more shade-oriented option. That can suit a yard where people want a shaded seating area, but it also puts more branches and foliage overhead. The palm’s fan-shaped fronds create a more vertical accent and less lateral spread; choose it for its form and narrower footprint rather than expecting the same shade. Think about where the shadow will fall at the times you use the pool, and whether shade over the water or deck is welcome.
Match the tree to climate and soil
The windmill palm is listed for USDA zones 8–11, with full sun and sandy soil in its specifications. The willow listing is inconsistent: the title says zones 4–9, but a spec says zone 3. I would verify the correct hardiness range with the seller and check a local planting reference before ordering. Neither listing ships to California or Arizona. Zone compatibility alone does not settle suitability; local drainage, exposure, and soil conditions also matter.
Account for establishment and upkeep
Both listings call for moderate watering, so plan to care for a new tree even when the palm is described as drought-tolerant once established. The willow includes plant food and a care guide, while the palm description highlights tolerance to salt and drought after establishment. These are different advantages: included guidance may help a first-time tree buyer, while tolerance traits may matter in a coastal setting. Neither product description establishes how much debris will reach a particular pool, so consider the canopy’s position and your willingness to clear leaves or other plant material.
Check poolside placement before ordering
Pool construction, paving, drainage, and local planting rules vary. Since these product details do not state root spread or a recommended pool setback, I would not use the listing alone to decide how close to plant. Confirm the site plan with a qualified local professional, especially for the wide willow. Also verify shipping eligibility and the tree’s zone range before purchase; those checks may rule out an option before its appearance or shade benefits matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which of these trees takes up less space beside a pool?
The windmill palm has the smaller listed mature width at 6–10 feet, compared with about 35 feet for the weeping willow. It still reaches 25–30 feet tall, so it needs vertical clearance. The palm is the more compact choice laterally, not a small tree overall.
Which tree is the better choice for poolside shade?
The weeping willow is the more shade-oriented option because its arching branches can form a broad canopy. Its roughly 35-foot mature width means it needs considerable room. The windmill palm is narrower and better suited to buyers who prioritize its upright form over extensive shade.
Can I plant either tree right beside my pool?
The product details do not give a recommended pool setback or specific root-spread information for either tree. Pool construction and site conditions also vary, so I would ask a local arborist or landscape professional to assess the intended location before planting. This is especially relevant for the willow because of its stated mature width.
What climate information should I check before buying?
The windmill palm is listed for USDA zones 8–11. The willow information conflicts: the title states zones 4–9, while its specs state zone 3. I would confirm the willow’s correct range with the seller and compare both trees with local planting guidance. Both listings say they do not ship to California or Arizona.
Which option is more suitable for a coastal pool area?
The windmill palm is described as salt-tolerant once established and suitable for coastal landscapes, so it has the clearer coastal case in this pair. It still requires an appropriate climate, full sun, and care while establishing. The listing does not make it suitable for every coastal site, so check local conditions and the zone range first.
Conclusion
For a narrow sunny poolside area in zones 8–11, I’d choose the windmill palm for its smaller stated width and coastal-friendly traits once established. For a spacious yard where broad shade is the priority, the weeping willow is the stronger fit, provided its mature size works and you verify the conflicting hardiness information. If your site is in California or Arizona, neither of these listings is available to ship there; if you are unsure about placement, get local advice before choosing a planting spot.
