Fun with a Mesquite tree

[BadDog]

As I mentioned earlier, this place is a fixer-upper, and I've got thousands of dollars worth of renovations far ahead of spending that much money on a leaf problem. Nice idea, and would be a nice solution in several ways, but not in the cards any time soon.

Just took a pic, sending it momentarily...

[BadDog]

Did that picture ever show up?

I lost my old image host when Pixa just evaporated with no warning. On top of that, Cox decided to eliminate the bundled web space that I used to use for images. I suppose I need to set up a new hosting service for stuff like this.

So, anyone know of a good source for largish containers similar to (but larger than) the common plastic basket container that goes in front of the pump impeller? Preferably something less cantankerous that that screw on lid, something I can readily access to remove and clean a mesh sock but mounted in the 2" hard lines before my pump input.

[PoolDoc]

Pictures:





Mesquite leaves from Creative Commons licensed photos on Flickr
phoenixdailyphoto:


Ms. Phoenix:

[BigDave]

Nice!, Love the tree!

[BadDog]

Thanks. My wife absolutely loves it, and I like it quite a lot. I think it "really makes" that end of the pool yard. Hence the desire to find a solution other than removal of the tree.

Now if I can just find time to replace the siding on the hot tub, remove the palm and yuka to replace with something more appropriate for in-slab planters, replumb the pool filter/pump, put in proper irrigation for trees instead of bubblers right at the trunk (combined on same valve with low water plants!), resurface the pool slab, touch-up the "rock features" (ugh), flagstone most of the dirt around the Mesquite,... <sigh>

[BadDog]

Thought I would post an update.

I still haven't figured out a way to put some sort of screen bag/trap in front of the main filter. So I'm still having to pull the top and scoop out Mesquite droppings (flowers, leaves, etc) every week or two.

However, my daughter announced her engagement and they want to have the wedding ceremony under the Mesquite tree. Normally I hate grass in the desert, but having the wedding on dusty dirt along combined with threat of wind (not at all uncommon) forced my hand. Now I have sprinklers in that small area along with grass (tall fescue mostly) growing there. Once that's established, and will be left high most of the time, I'm hoping it will trap much/most of the mess in the turf. Then using the bag with frequent mowing will hopefully give me a way to control the worst of it.

[PoolDoc]

Just in case you ever move east, I'll give you a heads up: stay away from pools surrounded by 'crap myrtles' (and they do, 365 days per year), river birch trees (fluffy seeds by the bushel), or cottonwoods (fuzz that stops up EVERYTHING!).