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Trees for steep stream bank

Posted by acer 6b western NC (My Page) on
Sun, Oct 9, 11 at 23:41

Our lower property has a ravine through it with the main neighborhood road along the upper edge of one side. I actually like this ravine as a potential shade/native plant garden, but the bank is really steep in places under the road and the neighborhood road commitee could potentially culvert and fill the area if it gives too much trouble. I'd like to plant a few water-loving trees at the bottom of the bank to stabilize it, and my two top choices are silver maple and sycamore. Unfortunately the area doesn't get a lot of sun and we've got those darn walnut trees nearby to contend with. We may eventually cut the walnuts so we don't have their toxicity (juglone) to worry about. They're scrawny, twisted little things anyway. I wouldn't normally consider silver maple, but there's no chance of any structures being built there for them to drop branches on. Ideas?


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: Trees for steep stream bank

Sounds like a great project.

How about Bigleaf Maple, Alder, and Buckeye? I know this is a Californian configuration,
but maybe it would work in your region, too.


Josh


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RE: Trees for steep stream bank

is this an actual flowing river.. or stream ....

is it really necessary to opt for a water loving tree.. is what i am wondering ...

planting on a hill is the only limiting factor in most circumstances ... as the trees will put their roots where they want them.. as compared to going the rest of the way downhill and putting their feet in the water ...

those horrible cottonwoods/poplars like to be near water ...

i wonder if your county has a soil conservation office????? as in theory.. that is what your goal is .... they would be more in tune as to what trees would favor your county ...

ken


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RE: Trees for steep stream bank

  • Posted by jcalhoun 8b Mobile County AL (My Page) on
    Mon, Oct 10, 11 at 16:18

Creek banks around here have a lot of cyrilla, sweet bay magnolia, and tupelo and look great when in bloom.


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RE: Trees for steep stream bank

Maples don't seem to be affected by walnuts from lists I've read and from experience, and silver maples are happy on river banks, even when they sometimes are flooded, so that seems like a good choice. Another idea to stabilize stream banks would be red-twigged dogwoods or shrubby willows. You can use a narrow rod to make a hole and insert cuttings which should then root.


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RE: Trees for steep stream bank

  • Posted by jqpublic 7b/8a Wake County NC (My Page) on
    Thu, Oct 13, 11 at 19:26

You live in Western NC, so I'm sure Hemlocks do very well there. I know there is the hemlock wooly adelgid, but I know they are at home in that location. You could also go for an American Beech or River Birch. I'm not sure of their resistance to walnut toxin though. I think River Birch is elevation restricted as well. Whenever I'm up in the mountains the ravines are the only places I see sycamore so I know they would be happy there as well.


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RE: Trees for steep stream bank

River Birch
Pawpaw
jcalhoun in right on with cyrilla, tupelo, and sweetbay magnolia
Baldcypres(shade?)
Carpinus
Pin oak or swamp white oak
Some hickory species


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