Question
QUESTION: HI Sean, I recently moved into a townhouse here in No.Virginia. the backyard has a small pond about 5x4 feet in size. It originally had gold fish, but they were eaten by a heron. Now we find the lining is leaking and we would like to remove the pond, fill in the hole and cover it with slate or brick for more seating. We would also like to put a tree in the yard or just  outside the fence of the yard for more shade.
Could you advise  how I should proceed with this project. Which tree would you suggest? My wife is considering a birch. Any thoughts on this?
Many thanks for your input.
Carl

ANSWER: On the filling of the pond, it sounds quite simple. Drain the water, remove the liner and fill with soil. Compact the soil lightly and your done. As for the tree, Birch is nice but can be a maintenance issue since they tend to drop twigs all year long. I like oaks because they are very long lived, usually more open in branching, allowing a little more light in for grass, etc. Sugar Maples are great in your area also.
Best of Luck

Sean J Murphy, LA, ISA, LEED AP
www.seanjmurphy.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Sean, Thanks for your response. My back yard is no larger than 23' long and about 8' wide. I would like to get more shade by planting a tree, but oak and maple may be  to large a tree for the amount of space I have. Can you suggest a smaller tree that also grows quickly so I can benefit from the shade of its leaves soon.
What do you suggest for more seating where the pond was. Should I put slate or brick on top of the soil covering the previous hole? Whichever is more economic and less labor intensive would be my preference.
Carl

Answer
Try a red bud for a smaller tree. I'm not that familiar with your area though so you may want to contact your local county extension office or nursery for a list of good trees specific to your area and climate. Not sure what you mean by more seating? That really too vague for me to answer. Seating for how many? I don't know your style, or what your yard and house look like, not to mention your budget. I cant really say on the brick or slate either. To many unknowns. Are you wanting to make a finished patio over the old pond location? By slate do you mean flag stones made of slate or slate chips? Solid bricks or brick chips?