Aaron, having lived in the land of air condition or else, I think anything other than a cottonwood is a neat tree there. Using a liner and the possibility of invasive roots like D.I.E.D mentions worries me.

As far as possible leaf problems, run a test. Get a bluegill or 2 and put them in a container using city water or some sort of filtered water that will approximately duplicate your future fish environment. Add a couple of the the leaves and see what happens. Or, add leaves to a 5 gallon bucket, Let it sit for a week and toss in some bluegills.

It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.

Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.

Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP