Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Creating habitat Oak Logs for Ponds

In reading some of the articles on providing structure for your pond, I saw where Tannins in oak were bad for your pond. I have some giant oak trees and logs that have been dead for 5-15 years. I was wondering if it was possible to use some of these older logs as structure in a pond? Anyone have experience with oaks in ponds actually causing problems? They pushed about 10 huge oaks when they built my dam which are very green. These would sure be handy to use.

Dave Davidson is your man. He will probably respond soon but in case he is out deer hunting with his pardner, do a search on his posts. He has reported some significant problems with Oaks in his ponds in the past. You really need to talk to him.

You can use the dead stuff but use the green stuff for firewood. I tried using the fresh, green stuff for my new pond. Within about a week it rained. Then in about another week, the water turned black. I tried stocking and everything died within hours. After doping it with huge amounts of chlorine, the water was still lethal. I had to pump it dry and let Texas summertime dry everything out. You can do a test. Cut a piece of the green wood. Toss it in a bucket of natural water; not city water that has been doctored. Let it sit for a couple of weeks. If the water in the bucket darkens, don't use the wood. Actually, it seldom takes a couple of weeks but I would make sure.

Come to think of it deer season is closed around here...up there too, right Dave?

Yep, and I don't want to talk about it.

Actually, the deer got on acorns early in the season,went to the thickest areas and didn't move until after dark. Oh well, we'll getum next year.

Thank you everyone for the answers, i think I will use the older logs and leave the new ones for firewood! Shh, don't say that word fire around here! Might set off a spark!

I just finished digging and added some downed live oaks to my pond. These trees were several years downed. This was before I drug it into the pond.

Help me understand...

Don't the logs and trees float?

I hope not!!!

These things weight a whole lot, and I imagine they'll water log after a while.

Otherwise, I'll have a big problem trying to get them out.

PJ, If the tree is where you want it, I would drive some T posts and wire it in place.

Looks to me like the dog's holding it down.

The dog must be some kind of setter.

Good grief. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

DD I like the levity.

Shoved a giant cottonwood into my first pond. It sat there partially submerged for about 8 months. Then...a strong south wind moved the dang thing 20 feet north. Couple days later, a REALLY strong east wind shoved it away from the dam.

It finally ended up approximately where it was, but it had rolled over...that would be exciting if you'd been anywhere near it in a boat. What's left of the crown is abour 30 feet in diameter...would've made quite a commotion in rolling.

Not sure, but it might've taken about a hundred t posts and a mile of #9 wire to hold this thing back. Trunk is about 7 feet across....