Hey guys hows everyone doing? My dad has a pond thats just over 2.6 surface acers, 16ft deep, stocked with BG, LMB,CC, and GC. I have made some habitat out of some 5 gallon buckets, and rubber hose for the blugill to hide from the bass. Well I am wanting to make more but wanting to go more of the free side. I am talking about trees since most of the farm is wooden area. Most of the tress that we have are hedge, oak, thorny locus, (hate those damn trees) ceders. What trees would work best? I dont wanna use ceders because I have heard that they give off a chemical that takes oxygen out of the water. The thorny locus probably not because we do wanna swim in the pond and that would not be good. Also how big of a bundle should I make, and how far out should I put it?
Thanks!!

Why do you want to add trees? What is suggesting you need to add woody structure? Start there - what is the fishery telling me that makes me think I need additional structure. What species is underperforming? Are you taking WR measurements routinely? There has to be some impetus - identify it first.

Woody structure has different purposes - cover for YOY fish to escape predation or to create ambush spots for predator fish, etc. Find out what you need, this will dictate the type and location of the structure.

Cedars are used frequently, they will not impact the water quality and provide good dense cover for YOY panfish to escape predation. These need to be placed in 3-6' depth. Whomever told you that about cedars should not be discussing pond management in public.

Other woody cover would not provide this type of protection - they serve as shaded ambush areas for predator fish - should be placed in deeper water. I've read that some wood can produce tannins that can impact the fishery - I believe Dave in TX killed off a pond using green Post Oak.

Again, before you start sinking brush into your pond rethink your situation and adopt the appropriate strategy. You should considering hiring a Pond and Fishery consultant from NE to help you with all your questions.

Yep, and did a good job of killing fish with oaks.

I like cedars. No problem and they last about 4 years in my area.

Hey thanks for the advice. And I will start using ceders now for cover. We are seeing smaller bass in my dads pond. We used to get over 18in bass or bigger up til the last two years now we cant seem to catch them or find them? Could the CC be eating bass that big? I also added four pvc trees for the bluegill to hind in about four years ago and thats it. I am just wanting to add more cover for the bluegill. Also whats in the oad braches that kill off the fish? We have some hedge trees and thorny locus trees ground around the pond. Could I use those throny locus for cover to?

Oak problem is tannins. It is lethal stuff.

Take a look at the archive thread on cover for ideas.

http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=92463#Post92463