In nature, ponds and trees go together like ham and eggs on a breakfast table. Yes, you will have more leaves in your pond in the fall but, by the same token, the shade provided by the tree(s) will help minimize the algae bloom in the summer. Furthermore, if you have a skimmer sucking the top quarter inch of water off the top of your pond, it will pull most of the leaves and related debris into an awaiting net.
This takes about 30 seconds to empty, and it can be a daily task in the fall if your pond is close to trees. Add it all up and it’s a trade-off that most full-sun water gardeners would love to have! So don’t worry about trees and ponds. They’re fine.


If you’d had enough, and don’t even feel like reading or searching for more info, just give us a call. We’ll help you out.
Want to learn more tips and tricks about water gardens?
Learning make you tired?
Don’t worry. Here’s some pretty photos you can look at to destress.

Founder & Master Pond Builder
Jaak Harju is the founder and master pond builder of Atlantis Water Gardens, a family-owned design and build firm specializing in natural-looking ponds, waterfalls, and ecosystem water features. Since 2000, Jaak has dedicated his career to creating outdoor environments that inspire connection with nature.
With a background in landscape design and construction, Jaak brings artistry and precision to every project. He’s known nationally for his creative stonework, ecological pond design, and educational outreach within the pond-building community. Through his work, videos, and collaborations with other Aquascape-certified contractors, Jaak has helped redefine backyard water features as sustainable, living ecosystems.