Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Building a dam How big of a buffer for trees around new dam

I've been working on adding vegetation around my new pond. I'm planting river birch and sycamore along one side bordering some woods to add some nice look with their distinctive bark and fall color. I wanted to mix in some more birch with red maple stands down stream of my dam. The closest tree is probably 75 to 100 feet away at this point. Is this about as close as I should bet to the dam?

Remember that roots will hunt for water, I have seen them go way beyond the drip line of the tree

i would never plant sycamore anywhere on my place first they are brittle and will be a pain to handle the leaf and brush litter not to mention near water they can be invasive

Seems I'm in the minority with sycamores. Multiple people have told me to stay away. . They're a beautiful tree with some really fascinating bark patterns. I have them up in my woods and near the edges so I'm not worried about leaf little or branches.

It's probably best to not push my luck getting closer to the backside of the dam with trees then it's sounding like.

Thanks! This place is always helpful with answers!

Sir, I wanted to plant hybrid willows on the downside of my dam. Scott(essep) said that was askin for trouble. After much research I concluded that he was correct. As Pat mentioned, some species do go WAY beyond the drip line to find water. Just research every species root growth before ya jeopardize your dam.

Do not take any chances, when it comes to planting trees on the dam.
Behind the dam is always a question---is 75 feet too close? No one really knows. Why take the chance.

Another consideration is time.

If a guy is 70 years old and it will be 20 years before the trees get big enough to cause problems and there are no kids or grand kids that will inherit the pond and be a problem for and the trees are seen to be of current benefit to the owner, I say go for it.

I see a lot of ponds with trees on the dams, and yes they will probably some day cause problems, but they have been there for 20 years or more so far.

As the standard PBF saying goes, "it all depends". How important are the trees to a person and how long does he expect the pond to last or be utilized?

I left one tree on my son's pond dam ( Reclaiming 50 year old pond ) just because it looked too nice for a shade tree for the 5-8 year old kids to fish from and play under. Was it a mistake? Not if the pond last 15 more years before it causes problems and the grand kids are away and on their own (and likely I'm gone too). It will have served its purpose.

Trees are a risk factor to the structural integrity of the dam. The question is, are the benefits of the tree worth the risk it creates? Kind of like driving over the speed limit. Is it worth the risk? Some think it sometimes is.

It all depends.

P.S. We get lots of rain here (42" a year) and no, I do not have trees on our pond dams......although my wife wanted them

Good point!!!!!!!!! I have seen lots of dams that are covered with trees and have no problems.