Alien Invasion - I want my pond back !

[Eric Salop]

Extracting the Alien

My son came over for the weekend and we spent a few hours together dragging the Alien out of the pond. He went to pick up a piece by hand and was surprised that it was so heavy. Not a problem with the tractor loader, only issue is getting it up on the edge of the bank to be able to then grab it out. When you get lucky, it sometimes comes out in a big sheet.

We shifted a fair amount with a tow rope and grapple - him on the tractor and me in the water. Not the most efficient technique, but at least it gave him chance to get used to the new tractor.

Once he went home, I thought I would try and move the rest in bigger chunks by cutting in slits, poking an 8' length of 2 by 6 timber underneath and then heaving it out. Crassula won that one as the wood broke on the first pull.

So today I scaled up and spent a couple of hours with a big old 8" diameter post on the drag line. Takes more effort in the pond to sink the post under the surface, however the results can be quite satisfying.

Good job I don't pay myself by the hour, this is taking quite some time, but I'm definitely getting there.

 

[Eric Salop]

Extracting the Alien

My son came over for the weekend and we spent a few hours together dragging the Alien out of the pond. He went to pick up a piece by hand and was surprised that it was so heavy. Not a problem with the tractor loader, only issue is getting it up on the edge of the bank to be able to then grab it out. When you get lucky, it sometimes comes out in a big sheet.

We shifted a fair amount with a tow rope and grapple - him on the tractor and me in the water. Not the most efficient technique, but at least it gave him chance to get used to the new tractor.

Once he went home, I thought I would try and move the rest in bigger chunks by cutting in slits, poking an 8' length of 2 by 6 timber underneath and then heaving it out. Crassula won that one as the wood broke on the first pull.

So today I scaled up and spent a couple of hours with a big old 8" diameter post on the drag line. Takes more effort in the pond to sink the post under the surface, however the results are quite satisfying.

Good job I don't pay myself by the hour, this is taking quite some time, but I'm definitely getting there.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Does look satisfying!

 

[KubotainNH]

Huge difference and worth the time spent.

 

[MossRoad]

WOW! That's one tough weed. If you should get most of it out, what are your plans to keep it out?

 

[clemsonfor]

WOW look at that pile!! Sure your small pond wont evaporate with that plant gone now!!! haha

you need a fish or something that eats it airation, or some chemical to put in the water. You cant do this every few years!!

 

[clemsonfor]

WOW look at that pile!! Sure your small pond wont evaporate with that plant gone now!!! haha

you need a fish or something that eats it airation, or some chemical to put in the water. You cant do this every few years!!

 

[clemsonfor]

Its like three or four years after the software swap!!!! WHY are we still getting double posts!! Mine did it and so did the OP just like 2 posts above mine???

 

[the old grind]

IIRC wind/waves and/or water flow impede the spread somewhat. IMO keeping nothing higher than cattails within 50 meters or more on the side toward prevailing winds could to keep the surface going pretty well. I suggest (also from experience) that pond width matters more than depth on the 'downwind' side.

Wind powered 'bubblers' might also help if strategically placed. Gettin' into bucks there & not sure what would be enough of that 'assist' either. Understanding creep amount by month or season, and having done bigger batches, might suggest a schedule of touching up certain 'pockets', but Eric & Co would have to maintain access along with veg control of any border/buffer areas.

I might add that my best weed/brush control (~1/4 of >2k ft of shoreline) is with a 15 gal sprayer in a small boat with a wand and just glypho. I spare all cattails, and critters seem not to mind ... any more than when I'm trapping after those CT-munching muskrats. :banghead:

I'm really impressed with Eric's tractor (nice color, too ), the tricks learned, and the progress so far. :thumbsup: (... and now he can make some 'scary' compost (might sprout?) for folks he doesn't like. :devil

btw, clemsonfor, if you catch a double post within a few minutes go to the 'edit post' tab. IIRC there are two places to click 'delete post', one at lower right, and one at upper left. Seems I click both, and the bottom one first. Then one click to save or whatever gits 'er done. This is for PCs for sure. As for internet on a handheld, well I couldn't say, but you'd have my condolences ... tog

 

[Eric Salop]

Does look satisfying!

It sure is ! Shame you don't live nearer, or you could have come with that grapple and see how big a grin it produces - probably better than your DPF regen.

WOW! That's one tough weed. If you should get most of it out, what are your plans to keep it out?

My main hope for keeping it clear in the future is to cut down the rest of the willow trees and let the wind and waves keep everything on the move.

IIRC wind/waves and/or water flow impede the spread somewhat. IMO keeping nothing higher than cattails within 50 meters or more on the side toward prevailing winds could to keep the surface going pretty well. I suggest (also from experience) that pond width matters more than depth on the 'downwind' side.

Wind powered 'bubblers' might also help if strategically placed. Gettin' into bucks there & not sure what would be enough of that 'assist' either. Understanding creep amount by month or season, and having done bigger batches, might suggest a schedule of touching up certain 'pockets', but Eric & Co would have to maintain access along with veg control of any border/buffer areas.

I might add that my best weed/brush control (~1/4 of >2k ft of shoreline) is with a 15 gal sprayer in a small boat with a wand and just glypho. I spare all cattails, and critters seem not to mind ... any more than when I'm trapping after those CT-munching muskrats. :banghead:

I'm really impressed with Eric's tractor (nice color, too ), the tricks learned, and the progress so far. :thumbsup: (... and now he can make some 'scary' compost (might sprout?) for folks he doesn't like. :devil

Thanks, all good advice, I will be keeping a close eye on this Crassula in future and try not to let it creep back from the margins.
I am intrigued by your mention of wind powered "bubblers" and would like to see one. Is that a pipe below the surface, blowing up bubbles of air ?