Trees on dam walls

[silkhay]

Just moved onto new property, it has a good? dam but there are numerous small trees growing on the walls, mostly seedlings up to 2-3 metres tall but quite spindly. I have been told by a couple of people to cut these trees down as they will eventually damage the structure. Lots of scribbly gums in the paddock (acid sulphate soil area) so I wouldn't be denuding the area.
Any knowledgable advice would be welcome.
Silkhay

[Grasshopper]

To get a clearer picture
Are they actually on the raised wall or on the edge that isn't raised?

[silkhay]

They are on the raised edge and the sides

[silkhay]

I did replybefore but it hasn't appeared? The trees are on the raised wall & the edges - the bits that hold the water in!!

[gardenlen]

keep the dam wall clear of all except maybe woody weeds for habitat. when a tree dies or whatever then the roots rot out generally the dam wall gets broached. have seen dam wall in this collapsed state. i would keeping 6 to 10 meter clear around the wall. the water in the dam would be a great attractant to tree roots.

len

[silkhay]

Thankyou Len that is a good objective confirmation so we will go ahead with the clearing.

Silkhay

[S.O.P]

Water can also travel along roots in-situ. Digging emergency drainage during the floods, came across a 20mm root which I cut, water began to flow from around it like a garden hose.

[silkhay]

Is it better to leave the stumps then? Given that most of the trees have a fairly small circumference, should we paint the stumps to stop them reshooting. What is the pink 'stuff' you see painted on stumps? Also what would be a suitable clumping grass, something like 'lomandra' to cover the area. It is in Zone 5 at the boundary of the property.

[eco4560]

Vetiver grass is worth a look at as well as any of the lomandra varieties.

[S.O.P]

Is it better to leave the stumps then? Given that most of the trees have a fairly small circumference, should we paint the stumps to stop them reshooting. What is the pink 'stuff' you see painted on stumps? Also what would be a suitable clumping grass, something like 'lomandra' to cover the area. It is in Zone 5 at the boundary of the property.

Pink stuff would be paint, usually (some poison can be dyed). It's for visibility. Since you are going permie, you aren't poisoning. Either smash it down to the root plate with a mattock edge, or cut it low and just remove any epicormic growth until they exhaust stored carbohydrates (longish process but creating mulch material).

Lomandra, Carex, Juncus, Gahnia, Dianella etc. if you are staying in Zone 5 . Many to choose from, just pick what's native if that's your Zone 5 plan.