Thanks. There really aren't any lower spots, even the street level is higher. I think the tree must be maybe 50 - 60 years old, and the subdivision is about 35 years, so I'm guessing a layer of topsoil was placed on the yard, which is just slightly higher than the street.

I may try your suggestion of removing clay and adding rock and placing the pump under the rock so it can be ready to go whenever it rains.

I would also be inclined to try something like the response above. A French drain away from the tree to let the water pool elsewhere (i.e., a large hole where the clay soil is removed and then refilled to ground level with gravel) would work to shift the excess water.

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Northwesterner