In message , Dave the
exTrailer writes
On Fri, 03 Mar 2006 12:09:58 GMT, "H Ryder"
wrote:

We have an old but still used, brick built septic tank in our front (north
ish facing but big enough to get sun in parts) garden. It may or may not
have a small crack in it but the surveyor recommended the removal of the
large weeping birch growing right next to it. Ideally we'd like to replace
this with another more appropriate tree - smaller with blossom and/or
berries. Any suggestions as to something which will not damage the tank - is
there such a thing? If not then any suggestions for shrubs. Will perennials
be okay? There are lots of "sticky up bits" and man hole covers out there
which I hope to disguise or hide by putting a mixed bed around the whole
affair but, as we need reasonably frequent access, I need to work round
rather than over it all. Any suggestions will be most appreciated,
especially of strongly but sweetly scented plants .

Leave it there and let the tank crack a bit more.
It saves having it emptied

I am not sure that is a good idea. After a while, if you don't have it
emptied, everything goes solid. I know from experience - when we moved
into a house in Hatfield Heath in 1980, the tank at the front of the
house (there were two) had not been emptied for over 15 years. It was
quite a job to clear it. After that, I had it done once every year or
two and it didn't smell in the slightest - even when you stuck your head
right over the open manhole. (OK - it's an odd thing to do. There are
some funny folk about

The tank at the back of the house was emptied regularly but tended to
overflow into the cottage at the side, which was most unpleasant. We
had some wonderful rhubarb growing right next to it.
--
June Hughes