I have a rather large sweet gum tree about 20 ft from where I am planning a goldfish pond. I am wondering if the balls in the fall are harmful (poison?) to the fish when they fall in the water? I plan to net it out regularly of course through the season. Also are cherry trees ok?

Frilly -

I don't know about the sweet gum balls, perhaps somebody else would know -

Regarding the cherry tree - it depends on what type of cherry tree. Cherry trees are 'prunus' and some of them are poisonous to fish. I have a Kwanzen cherry tree, which is not poisonous, but it also does not fruit.

oh, I do mean a cherry with fruit on it. I figure if I am going to grow a cherry tree it may as well have fruit. I know the birds will mostly get them, but that is ok too. I was also considering a red bud tree in proximity of the pond, are they ok? They do form a sort of seed pod thingy in the fall and I assume they shed those in the winter or early spring. I don't know if those are safe for goldfish if they get in the water.

Some cherrys are poisonous and some are not. Not sure about the redbud as I beleive there are several different kinds of redbuds. I would find out the latin name of the trees that you want to put in and then go from there.

There is a listing of poisonous plants in the Central NY koi website. http://www.cnykoi.com/articles...

I will say, that whatever goes into your pond will have to be taken out, as the leaves, fruit, whatever - will rot in the bottom of your pond if you do not remove it. With rotting leaves, twigs, fruits will come disease for the fish.

Also, I have a Kwanzen cherry tree by my pond. I keep telling my husband I am going to have it taken down, because when the leaves and the petals fall, it is about a week or so of intensive pond skimming and cleaning out my skimmer and that is without fruit. I probably won't take down that tree - but I need to really stay on top of things during those time periods or I will have a problem.

Yeah I know the pond will need to be netted out and cleaned regularly in the fall, to prevent rotting. I was just more concerned about actual poisoning. Thanks for the link, looks great and I'm gonna bookmark it to save!
I am just going to do a smallish pond, so I don't think cleaning it some will be a huge issue in the fall.