A homeowner has issued a stark warning to Aussies after making a nightmare discovery in her backyard that ended up costing over $15,000 to rectify.
When Brisbane resident Kylie purchased her home six years ago, the pool in her backyard was adorned with a row of Golden Canes and Foxtail palm trees which gave off a “tropical” aesthetic that she admittedly loved.
And while the constant dropping of the fronds and seeds into the pool was frustrating, it was “balanced out by the shade and privacy they provided,” she told Yahoo News Australia. But it was years later the true cost of the pretty scenery would be revealed when Kylie noticed tiles next to the pool lifting up.
Invasive weeds left a woman’s backyard requiring $15,000 in repairs. Source: Supplied
Invasive palm tree roots take over Aussie backyard
While Foxtail palms are native to Australia and their roots do not pose as much of a threat, Golden Cane Palms are native to Madagascar, according to James Cook University. They are known to flourish in Australia and are prized for their exotic aesthetic and have become particularly popular in coastal regions of Queensland.
But industry professionals have long decried their risk in Aussie backyards — with Drainmasters Plumbing warning of their “rapid growing” roots and Daleys Turf warning Aussies not to plant them within 10 metres of buildings, walls and retained garden beds.
“The roots of the Golden Cane are thin, fibrous and very aggressive. They grow into a large matted invasive structure which will find any weaknesses or water leaks and can cause major damage,” the business shared online.
Invasive weeds left a woman’s backyard requiring $15,000 in repairs. Source: Supplied
As the palms spread their thin and fibrous roots superficially, they can interfere with all other shallow-rooted plants in the vicinity, such as lawns.
Over the years, the roots from the palm trees at Kylie’s home did just this and made their way around the pool area, damaging tiles and even the pool.
“The roots had found weakness between the concrete and the grout, broke through and snaked their way beneath the [paved area of the pool’s perimeter],” Kylie said.
After the nightmare discovery, the family forked out thousands to have the entire row of palms removed and their stumps ground up. “All up, it cost about $15,000 to get everything back to perfect,” she said.
Warning to homeowners over costly garden fixture
The ordeal prompted Kylie to issue a warning to fellow Aussies looking for plant options in their own backyards. “If anyone is thinking of landscaping options around their pool, I would strongly suggest that they research heavily, or consult professionals,” she said.
“If I had done the original landscaping for ours, I would never have planted palm trees. I do love the tropical aesthetic in pool areas, but we get that with garden palms in planter boxes now, rather than messy, sneaky Golden Canes.”
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