Re: Plants for Bank Erosion Prevention

tim@eddy.u-net.com writes:
>I don't know how they'd do in a Calif. climate but in the UK willows
>have traditionally been and still are used for the job.  Summer heat
>might be a problem? but certainly winter cold wouldn't. Damp and shade
>of course they relish. 


Actually around here willows are common. Theres two different species (Not
sure their common or latin names) but they seem to be native around here.
One grows all over the Ft. Ord, mostly closer to the coast, and ive seen
it in the chapparal. Its common around my cities largest lake (more like a
pond). The other i have seen at Aņo Nuevo State reserve, and these were
growing right on the dunes. They often had their roots exposed, and were
the onlythings keeping the dunes together! The wind often kept them very
low.
>
>They can be used not just in streams but even at the saltwater shore
>line since there are spp which will stand constant exposure to salt. I
>have a friend who works with willow professionally and more than half
>of his time is spent on precisely this sort of operation. 

Amazing trees arent they,and quite easy to root. I remember on one summer
job i had we had to plant willow branches in this former cow pasture
turned nature reserve. The soil was salty since this was in a marsh near
the local brackish slough. All we did was use a metal bar to poke a hole
in the mud, stuck the willow branches in, and they rooted. Nearly all
survived. These are starting to branch out. The same job we also planted
some near the edge of the local river, since the banks were starting to
fall away (they were practically mud walls).
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