Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations pond renovation questions

Drjrob, welcome aboard!
You have several things going on it sounds like and I am NOT a pond guru of the SE region for sure but to answer your question about the weeds, sometimes, depending on the type of growth, filling and inundating will kill some varieties. Some will continue to grow to the surface. If you can identify the type of plant and/or post pics maybe we can help you a bit more with that.
As for adding deciduous trees, I'm personally not in favor of adding that much organic load with so little benefit to the fishery. Cedar trees are a better choice. Nothing wrong with a log jamb of densely limbed trees in a small area but building a crib out of those trees providing small, micro habitats would be the best use if going to put them in the water. Search the archives for adding structure, you'll find plenty of reading there.