Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Trees On Back of Dam

I'm looking at buying a property that has a spring fed 2 acre pond. I want to bring up the fact to the seller that the dam has large trees on the back side of the dam. I'm thinking reduce the price at least the amount it will take to repair the damn. The pic doesn't clearly show the trees but they are on the back of the dam. Should the larger trees be left in place or are they the first ones to go?

Trees that are larger than 6" diameter could have roots that are large enough for water to follow once they decay. So, it's a catch 22. Remove the trees larger than 6" dia and take that risk, or leave them there and take the risk at some point in the future.

A tree can have roots that are as large and spread as far as it's branches.

Thanks for the info. Guess I'll flip a coin.

Yep! Cut down the larger trees and wait 'n see. Leave them there and wait 'n see. But, if you do a lot of work on the fish population in the pond, get them to where you are perfectly happy, and then the dam starts to leak, you'll most likely have to drain the pond down enough so you can renovate the dam. Now whether or not you can keep enough water in the pond to save the fish, that's only something that being on-site will tell. If the fish population isn't what you want now, removing the trees and renovating the dam now might make more sense. Less to worry about in the future.

Pine trees in Hawaii??

Not Hawaii, a retirement property in middle Georgia. Thanks for your input.

I have a 1 1/2 acre pond in S.C. that had trees behind it. This pond was originally built before the civil war. The trees behind the pond never bothered the dam, but previous owners allowed trees to grow on the dam which finally took its toll. I rebuilt it one year ago, left the beautiful trees behind the dam that I felt would not harm it. It just depends on what you want to enjoy. Although I won't allow a tree to grow on my dam, I could never destroy the beautiful trees behind the dam, unless they were so close to hurt the dam. I enjoy the spring and wetlands that fill the pond, but I also enjoy the wildlife and vegetation below the pond.

We're those trees on the rear slope of the dam?