How do you plan to pound the posts into the pond basin?
For the trees with branches, I've found in one pond that it takes about 2-3 years for a tree to reduce to the trunk and a few of the bigger branch stubs. That's for Christmas trees.
I plan to cut them long. Put a sharp point on one end. Take them out on the mini-pontoon. Trim them to appropriate lengths depending on water depth. Then either sledge hammer them in or use a fence post pounder.
The cedar trees I've put in several yrs ago have diminished quite a bit, but still hold fish. I did this thing were I let the cedars dry some then burned them. I have no proof but I think they are lasting longer than the one's I didn't burn. Should probably do a side by side test sometime to see if there is an actual difference, or if it's in my head.
For the vertical posts I'll either use Osage Orange (hedge) or Locust. Neither will rot. I've got fence posts that are likely over 100yrs old with no rot even under ground.
