Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Cypress Trees and Aquatic Plants

I have a 5-acre pond outside Memphis, TN in a rural but fast developing area. Have lots of hardwood trees on our surrounding 50 acres and I like the primitive, natural look. Planted 25-30 cypress trees in and around the pond. They look great except for the beaver problems. I have 2 questions:
1. How can I protect the remaining cypress trees from predation by the beavers? I have shot 5 and more remain. Can I screen them or do anything else? The trees are 4-5 ft. tall but are still considered saplings.

2. What type of plants can you recommend to plant in various locations around the pond in shallow water or along the shoreline that would provide structure/shelter for fish, ducks, etc. and would also look attractive to complement the setting we have in a natural environment?

You can wrap the trunk of the tree good and thick with chicken wire.

Mark,
One thing that works on beaver is crushing & sprinkling the hottest peppers you can find around your trees esp. btw the trees & water. Do this anywhere you see or anticipate beaver activity. It gets on their paws & ends up in their eyes & mouths. You want to discourage them from making your pond their home.
Also trapping season will be in soon. Talk to your local wildlife officer to get a name of a local trapper. Any trapper worth his salt can remove EVERY beaver from an area if he desires.
I would advise searching this site for desirable plants. There's a couple of very good plant guys here that have written great posts on the subject. Searching will give you many more ideas than one or 2 responces.
Ric