I purchased a property with a 1.5 ac pond on it. The dam has a willow growing in the center of it. The pond is 13' deep. The willow, 10" diameter, is growing at the water line, on the deep end, of course! The question is will removing the tree cause more harm them good. It seems to me that once the tree is removed all the roots will decay and cause more issues. Removing the stump will be a challenge because it is at water level. Any words of wisdom, or at this point I'll settle for some good old been there, done that info.

Ron

I think you are correct in your assumption. Have you considered pumping some of the water out, removing the tree and roots and repairing the dam with good clay?

Dave,
Thanks for the reply. I just do not know how extensive the damage will be. I was planing on cuting it down to the stump and then taking a backhoe and pulling the stump. It is very accessible and should be a simple job, but you know how that goes, its the ones that appear simple that bring you to your knees.

Ron

Gates, I saw a saying today. "If at first you don't succeded, you're about normal". Most of my easy jobs turn into character builders.

Gates,

I agree with Dave's analysis...but it is a difficult choice. I had a pond that I renovated in which I removed the stumps just as you suggested. Some of the root systems were really extensive, amazingly so, and required some repacking...but I believe it was worth the trouble.

Here's another suggestion. Trim the tree, rather than remove it. Willows are resilient. If you trim it, you may be able to live with it.

Bob, The tree does not bother me. This being my first pond I have no experience with regards to pond maintenance and up keep. With the knowledge I have gained from this forum and seemingly endless expenses I believe I have the true money pit. What a learning curve! After reading the prior posts with regards to trees on the dam I was just attempting to alleviate future problems. Might be a little late for that. I am wondering if this is one for the don't kick the sleeping dog routine.

Meadowlark, With regards to the roots I fully understand that issue. I had to abandon the out fall pipe for the pond. When I sent a camera up the pipe to investigate,I was suprised to see a root in a seperated section of pipe. That pipe was 18' down and 5' over from the willow.

Decisions, Decisions, seems like a loser all the way around.

Ron

I don't believe in living with willows on the dam. Those durn things have an extensive root system. You can trim it like Bob says but mine always spread from the roots. Sooner or later it will turn into a major problem. As I drive around and see old, dry stock tanks (ponds) they seem to have one commonality; willows and/or cottonwoods.

That's a heck of a root system....but don't despair, once you get things under control, the recurring costs and even time are basically only what you want to put into it.

You've provided another reason for not having a pipe in the dam as well as adding to the case for tree removal. Hang in there.

I have trees all over my dam, but not willows.(trying to manage as I can, Katrina helped some) Willows are in shallow end. With a willows root system that grows so rapidly, I would cut the tree, paint the stump with Ortho brush killer full strength(trichlopir). The willows roots will probably not die, but will grow much more slowly. You can always dig it up and repair later if water level drops excessively.

At what distance from the dam is it safe to have tress? Willows, pecans, elm, or oaks? Will the roots grow uphill into a dam?

TEXAS715,

This may sound crazy to you, but its true. When renovating one old pond, I found pine tree roots (from a pine that was about 10 or 15 feet from the back side of the dam) well into the dam itself..and yes, they actually did go slightly uphill to reach a water cavity inside the dam that was created by Nutria. That tree was sucking water from that cavity.

It got me to thinking, so I looked around carefully and observed several trees in proximity to the dam that looked much healthier than other trees....obviously they were also tapping into the pond water through the dam. Needless to say, those trees are no longer present.

I'm not saying necessarily that those trees caused structural damage to the dam, but am for sure saying that they sucked water out of the pond. In dry summers, that much water can be critical.

Dave & Meadowlark,
I decided to proceed with a willow-ectomy.
I took the willow off of the dam. I was suprised to see a lot of the roots running parallel to the dam. I hooked them to the back hoe and pulled them out. Most of the roots, >75% were on the surface at the stump. It was amazing how the roots that were in the water were massive matts of roots, like carpet. I guess soil contact is not necessary with a willow. Naturally there were some that went back into the dam. I pulled as many as possible and cut the rest off. The stump pulled relatively easily. The root ball that was with it was shallow, but very wide. I guess time will tell if I alleviated a problem or created one.

Ron

Ron,

You did good, IMO. You repacked clay around the stump area right? You should be okay.

You might have a future problem. Had you not taken action, it would have been a sure thing.