Pond/tree/erosion question for the braintrust...

[KFC911]

Do trees lining a body of water (pond/lake/river) help or resist erosion? I suspect it may vary depending upon water currents. On a small pond, I'm of the opinion that trees being allowed to grow at the waters edge would loosen packed bank over time (especially during high winds) and contribute to bank erosion rather than help. ther factors come into play, but I'd like to hear other's opinions...thanks!

[944Larry]

Trees, as beautiful as they are, along a water body do not help hold the ground in place. They loosen the soil and channel the water along paths that will eat away at the bank. A good stand of grass is a better bet or in the case of rapidly moving water, concrete or rock is a better bet.

[KFC911]

Larry, that is exactly my perspective, but I was just discussing this with my uncle yesterday (who is typically pretty sharp about such matters). He just tells me I'm "wrong" despite my/your logic and years of observation . Meanwhile the muskrats have been "violating" my attempts at a truce and I/we're fixin' to go "Tim Hancock" on them (referencing an older thread)...I'm losing the muskrat war and feel like Bill Murray .

[pavulon]

Not seeing how tree rooting could loosen soil. If trees were poorly chosen for the site (or cattle kill them), their deaths could result in some avoidable cascade of problems. Reasonable species choices (I love oaks) would help, especially with help from good grasses, shrubs, substrate and grade.

[Seahawk]

I have a what is called in my area a "Tobacco Pond" (used for irrigating tobacco crops).

The pond is filled by run-off from the fields (quite a bit, actually) and has a drain pipe for overflow near the small levee.

The only trees are on the marsh side of the pond levee and don't seem to cause any issues. The major problem I have is muskrats and ground hogs, just like KC.

I refill tons of bank and run along the edge of the pond nearest the fields every year.

I also have 1500 feet of bulk headed (sea wall) water front on the Potomac. My neighbor builds bulk heads for a living and is a maniac about letting small tress take root at the base of his bulk heads...he claims there is no more destructive contributor to erosion and integrity of bulk heads than small shrubs and trees.

So I keep it clean.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by pavulon

Not seeing how tree rooting could loosen soil. ...

Left alone...small saplings will densely line the inside rim of the pond and grow to be respectable trees within a few years time. Strong winds cause the root systems to weaken and over time the trees will eventually fall in. I maintain that a hard packed bank/dam covered in grass and kept free of trees on the inside edge is the way to go...that's the way my grandfather maintained this place for over 50 years, but two of my uncles disagree. This larger tree won't last...pic taken a few days ago doesn't show the beaver teeth marks 'bout a foot off the ground . Muskrats are trying to take over the left hand bank (also)...I've conceeded the right bank and the one I'm shooting this pic from....for now

I actually like the little critters...but enough is enough!!!

[Seahawk]

Beautiful place.

They also make a rake for getting the moss out of the pond. Works great!

[pavulon]

I'd agree that trees on the shore-line are a disaster in waiting. However, when a proper tree planted back from the line ends up on the shore line, it wasn't the problem. Also, trees break lines of wind. I hope we can all agree that wind powered water action is a big contributor to erosion of shoreline.

I believe bulkheads and trees are another discussion entirely.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

I have a what is called in my area a "Tobacco Pond" (used for irrigating tobacco crops).

The pond is filled by run-off from the fields (quite a bit, actually) and has a drain pipe for overflow near the small levee.

...So I keep it clean.

Those "horse ponds" are plentiful around here too...in fact, one is directly behind where I'm standing which overflows into a wet/dry creek bed towards the left of my pond. Captures all the horse pasture runoffs and is the perfect filter .

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Beautiful place.

They also make a rake for getting the moss out of the pond. Works great!

Thanks...your place don't exactly suck either...great "getaways" from the rat race! On that pic, the pond is bursting over top at a couple of places on the far end...both overflow pipes were partially clogged, and the spring that feeds it (nice flow) doesn't ever stop . I unclogged the pipes, wind blew in that direction, and the upper 2/3s was clear two days later...I do need to get a rake though...and some sterile grass carp for the growth underneath