Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Creative solution to problem with leaves?

Hello and thanks in advance for your help.

I have a 1 acre stocked farm pond in SW Ohio, the pond is aerated using a 2HP surface aerator . The prior owner allowed 4 Maple trees to grow around the perimeter (non dam side). The trees are in the 45 to 50 height range and have grown in clusters with each of the 4 trees appearing to have multiple independent trunks.

I've played around with the idea of cutting them down but with my luck they would fall into the pond or crush the farm fence that runs about 30 feet away from the bank. I may end up going this route if the idea I have you all feel is terrible. My sole reason for wanting to remove the trees is because of the number of leaves that end up in the pond each fall. I use muck away to treat the pond but I doubt the bacteria can keep up with the leaf load.

With the above said, I'm thinking of waiting until the leaves change in the fall and torching them while on the tree before they fall off. I doubt the tree itself would burn as the trunk and branches still have a high moisture content.

Thoughts on this idea? Crazy? Stupid? Or is it worth a shot?

Thanks for your help.