Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Is it ok to let brush/trees grow on dam?

Hello, My pond has an earthen levy/dam at one end. There is currently alot of vegetation growing out of it along the waterline. Mostly pussy-willow (sp?) and now some sumac is cropping up.

Is it better for the dam to cut the vegetation down, or should I just let it grow. Will the roots damage the dam causing a leak, or are they beneficial? The dam is about 5 years old and is covered in grass on top.

any input is appreciated.

I believe the consensus is, that it is better to keep shrubs and trees down on the pond side of the dam. I am planting fruit trees on the far side.

But it depends on the construction of the dam, and how close to the water line your trees are. I know lakes in Europe that have hundreds of years old oaks growing on both sides of the damn and no leakage.

You must keep ALL trees, bushes and shrubs off of both sides of the dam. The Dam must be grassed completely!!!

Well, the dam is earthen and has brush and even some small trees growing out of it on both sides. Right along the water edge are sumac growing out of it, and some other species which hangs out over the water.

So should I just cut all the vegetation down with a chainsaw and wee wacker and re-seed with grass?

I would post pictures, but I can't seem to make them small enough to post on the board.

If the trees aren't too big, I would herbicide them with Remedy. Cutting them down is sometimes a temporary solution.

Big pond, why do you say that? One of my dams is completely clay, the other is lined with clay on the pond side. The top of the dam is about 12" road. I don't see how peach trees and pecans on the away side could penetrate the damn. I figure most of the roots will stay at the surface, or grow down at a steeper angle than my dam. The root ball as a rule of thumb is as wide as the drip line, and these trees will not even come close to the road. But if you have a good reason, I want to prevent future problems.