Special Plants for Special Conditions: Moist Soils

Plants that will tolerate moist soils: 

 Birch

Forsythia

Inca Minor

Locust

 Pin Oak

Privet

Willow

Pachysandra 

Other notable mentions: 
Ash (some)
Swamp (Red) Maple
Viburnum (some)
Bog Myrtle
Holly - deciduous only
Arborvitae

 

Special Plants for Special Conditions: Heavy Clay Soils

Plants that will tolerate heavy clay soils:

Swamp (Red Maple) 

Silver Maple 

Birch 

Crabapples 

Junipers

Spirea (most)

Bayberry (most)

Forsythia






Other excellent choices: 
Spruce
Locust

Pears 

Willow

Arborvitae 

Viburnum (some)

Planting Near or Within a Leach Field

Planting over a septic system’s leach field can be a challenge because every drain field is unique. But, there are a few hard and fast rules to what can be planted. You decide what will work best in your situation by following a few simple guidelines:

If possible, plant between the drainage lines and at the ends because it will be dryer.

For larger trees (30 feet or taller), plant, if possible, the same number of feet away from the leach field as the tree is tall at its maximum height (i.e. plant a 50 ft. maximum height tree, 50 feet from the leach field.)

Trees and Shrubs that are OK to plant near/within a leach field:

Ornamental Cherries 

Ornamental Crabapples 

Dogwood (tree and shrub) 

Serviceberry (tree and shrub) 

Hemlock

Oak 

Pines 

Holly

Blueberries 

Rose 

Viburnum 

Boxwood 

Spirea 

Arborvitae 

Forsythia

Perennials that are OK to plant near/within leach fields:

Hollyhocks 

Beebalm 

Violets 

Yarrow 

Peony

Columbine 

Chrysanthemum 

Delphinium 

Daylilies 

Clematis

Do NOT plant the following trees within your leach field:

Beech 

Birch 

Elm 

Poplar

Red Maple 

Silver Maple 

Walnut 

Willow