BackyardStreamRepairGuide

NC Cooperative Extension Backyard Stream Repair Program

Do you have a stream on your property that is losing land in large or small chunks (aka erosion) during or
after storm events? Maybe the stream has started cutting deeper into the channel, creating more of a
gully. Have you wondered why your streambank seems to be changing rapidly?

NC is urbanizing. We have more homes, commercial buildings, parking lots, and roads and less forested
landscapes to slow down rainwater runoff. So there is less water going into the ground and more
stormwater flowing to our local streams. Increased volume means increased velocity within the stream.
How much stormwater is added to creeks? In a 1” rain an acre parking lot can drain 27,000 gallons of
rainwater to local streams. With annual rainfall of 40”, depending on where you live in NC, that adds up to
a lot of water! All this extra stormwater runoff erodes streambanks and is the largest source of sediment
and pollution in the urbanized areas of NC.
Small-scale Solutions to
Eroding Streambanks
What if my tree
falls? How much
soil will it take?
How do I mow
without falling
into the creek? I’m losing land
with every rain!
How do I fix this?
I used to be able to
jump across this creek.
Why is it getting wider?
2 NC Cooperative Extension Backyard Stream Repair Program

NC Cooperative Extension - Backyard Stream Repair Program Team

Wendi Hartup, Natural Resources Extension Agent
Bill Lord, Area Specialized Extension Agent
Wendy Patoprsty, Natural Resources Extension Agent
Mitch Woodward, Area Specialized Extension Agent
Sabrina Woofter, Natural Resources Extension Agent

http://go.ncsu.edu/backyardstreamrepair

Written by: Wendi Hartup

Major contributors: Wendy Patoprsty, Nancy Stairs and Mitch Woodward

Special thanks to our reviewers: Dr. Michael Burchell, Dr. Barbara Doll, Dr. Karen Hall, Sue Homewood,
Dr. Greg Jennings, Johnathan Wishart, and Marcia Wood.

Funding for this guide was provided in part through an
Urban and Community Forestry Grant from the North Carolina Forest Service,
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, in cooperation with the
USDA Forest Service, Southern Region.
All pictures unless otherwise noted: © NC Cooperative Extension.
NC Cooperative Extension Backyard Stream Repair Program 3

Riparian buffers, streamside forests, and shoreline gardens all refer to the vegetated area along the
water’s edge. There are all kinds of benefits to you, your downstream neighbors, and the surrounding
environment when plants with deep roots are growing on the creek bank.

 Improves bank stability and reduces erosion, saving property from washing.
 Adds aesthetic value to property.
 Creates a sense of place and reduces noise.
 Costs less to maintain than turf - no need for mowing, watering, and fertilizing.
 Slows surface stormwater flow.
 Intercepts pollution - fertilizer, pesticides, heavy metals, etc.
 Allows sediment to settle out before clouding up a waterway.
 Cools stormwater runoff heated by sunlight on hard surfaces.
 Shade moderates water temperatures for aquatic species.
 Provides habitat for many types of wildlife (butterflies, hummingbirds, frogs, dragonflies).

Being around water brings a sense of calm and relaxation. Most people living near water want a clear view
and remove all the landscape. Why not? If you live near the water, you want to see it! But what if all your
upstream neighbors want that too? Often times we don't realize that by simply removing vegetation or
keeping an area only in turf grass next to the creek we actually contribute to erosion, increase the
likelihood for flood damage, and decrease the available habitat for wildlife. There is a compromise;
utilize the right plant for the right place to create a shoreline garden.

Before you consider altering your streambanks, you need a clear image of what a healthy, stable stream
looks like. It can be difficult to find healthy streams in urban areas to use as an example. Study the two
photos below. Which one looks like it is stable, meaning the banks are not eroding. Is there shade on either
stream?
The one on the left has banks that are very steep and could be a safety issue; especially if you were on a
mower! The one on the right has a more gentle slope and vegetation extending to the water's edge for
easier and safer access.
Vertical banks more than 1’ = unstable. Gently sloped banks = stable. © L. England
4 NC Cooperative Extension Backyard Stream Repair Program

Fluctuating streams that rise and fall quickly during and
after rainfall events can saturate and loosen soil. Plant
roots hold soil but their effectiveness relates to their root
depth (turf grass may only have 4”-6” deep roots).
Unanchored soil will continue to wash away until it finds a
stable point that is difficult to erode...usually bedrock.
This may take a few storms or decades to see significant
impact but the damage is inevitable.

A mix of native trees, shrubs, flowers, ferns, and grasses
at varying heights provides a tangled mix of different root
structures that help to hold soil to the banks along with all
kinds of other benefits to the environment.

Step 1: Evaluate Streambank
Take a stroll along your streambank and observe the current conditions. A publication to help examine your
creek more in depth is Stream-A-Syst (ftp://ftp.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/wntsc/strmRest/StreamASyst2001.pdf)

Questions to ask about your stream:
 Does your stream flow year-round, seasonally or only during rain events?
 Does the stream rise and fall quickly with rainfall events?
 Does the soil along the bank slide off after rain events?
 How deep and wide is the creek?
 Are there any culverts or drainage pipes flowing into your stream?
 Is the stream straight or does is meander through the landscape?
 Does your shoreline have a variety of plant types?
 Do you know if the plants are native vs. invasive?
 What kind of root structure do existing plants have?
An example of a highly erosive, unstable streambank. © Bill Lord
Many herbaceous plants have fibrous root
systems and protect banks from surface erosion.
Woody species with deeper roots will be better
at increasing soil cohesion and reducing mass
slope failure. The best approach is a
combination of plant types. © Gary Bentrup
NC Cooperative Extension Backyard Stream Repair Program 5

Step 2: Determine Options
There are many different ways to manage streambanks. Choose from one of the following options to
stabilize a streambank.

Option 1: Do nothing and let it grow wild up to 15’ from water’s edge. Allow whatever seeds are in the
soil, as well as what washes from upstream neighbors, to establish on the streambank.
Optimal time of year: This can be done anytime of year.
Pros: No work and no costs.
Cons: Undesirable plants (invasives such as kudzu)
can take over the area. It can look weedy and still
erode for several years until plants mature.
Next step: Do nothing, you’re done with this
guide.

Option 2: Plant native vegetation without grading.
Start planting native trees 5’ from edge of bank;
regardless of slope (see illustration below). Plant
livestakes (cuttings of native trees and shrubs; see
pages 13-14) every 3’ along the water’s edge. Only
plant in rows as high as the soil is saturated. Soil
may still slough off but as plants grow, the root
mass will begin to hold the soil together.
Optimal time of year: Dormant season or October-March.
Pros: Cost-effective and slows erosion.
Cons: May be a temporary fix and land can still be lost.
Next step: Skip to plant selection on pages 12-18. Look over maintenance suggestions on page 19.

Option 1: This landowner is letting vegetation grow 15’
from water’s edge before mowing.
Option 2: Plant diverse, native flora without changing the grade (above left illustration). Above right photo shows
livestakes installed every 1’ on existing slope to create snag and quick root mass (© N. Alexander).
6 NC Cooperative Extension Backyard Stream Repair Program

Option 3: Grade banks to a 3:1 slope and plant. Most ideal for a stable bank. Take time to plan whether
you will do the work yourself or hire someone, select type of plants you want (or copy the design on
page 16) and determine how you will maintain the appearance you want (tips on page 19).
Optimal time of year: Dormant season or October-March.
Pros: Safer, stable banks, not losing land and attractive.
Cons: Financial investment and potential soil compaction from heavy equipment.
If choosing Option 3, the next steps are:

A) Contact your local technical resource: You may need a permit or help determining where to start work
near the stream (called Ordinary High Water).
 Army Corps of Engineers (Pre-Construction Notification, Section 404 Permit and Ordinary High
Water determination)
www.saw.usace.army.mil/Missions/RegulatoryPermitProgram.aspx
 NC Cooperative Extension http://go.ncsu.edu/backyardstreamrepair
 NC Division of Soil and Water Conservation www.ncagr.gov/SWC/
 NC Division of Water Resources http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/wq/401bufferpermitting
 Local government (to determine if any buffer rules apply)

After complying with local and state requirements...

B) Determine 3:1 slope: A “three-to-one slope” (33.5% or 18°) is
considered the ideal, stable slope.

To calculate a 3:1 slope for grading a streambank, measure the
change in elevation (from Ordinary High Water mark to top of the
bank). Multiply that height measurement by 3. Then measure the
multiplied distance from the bank into the landscape and mark it.

Before grading After grading
Option 3: A stream site in Newland, NC. The landowner’s home is less than 20’ from the water with 2’-3’
vertical banks (above left photo). Above right photo shows newly graded, stabilized and planted bank.
For a bank that is 2’ high, multiply by 3.
2’ x 3’ = 6’
Measure 6’ back into the landscape and
flag it. Grade between the landscape
flag and the Ordinary High Water flag
(depicted as red circles above).
NC Cooperative Extension Backyard Stream Repair Program 7

C) Acquire Stabilization Supplies: Temporary and permanent seeds are needed along with other erosion
control materials until vegetation establishes.

Permanent Seed Mixes
Apply at 15-20 lbs per acre of streambank disturbance
(per specifications of seed supplier). Mixes can include
but not limited to: Deertongue, VA Wild Rye, Big
Bluestem, Fox Sedge, Partridge Pea, Switchgrass, Blue
Vervain, Autumn Bentgrass, Ox-eye Sunflower, Little
Bluestem, Purpletop, Boneset, Soft Rush, Giant
Ironweed, Black-eyed Susan, Joe Pye Weed, Great Blue
Lobelia, Wild Bergamont.

Examples of suppliers with native, perennial mixes for NC streambanks.
 www.ernstseed.com ERNST Conservation Custom Mix, ERNST Riparian NC Mix
 www.green-resource.com Custom Riparian Seed mix
 www.mellowmarshfarm.com MMF Riparian Seed Mix, MMF Pollinator Mix

Straw
Use an average of 1 bale for 800-900 square ft at 1/2”-3/4" deep.
(Source: http://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/references/public/NC/NC342_CriticalArea_04-2014.pdf)

Coir Matting
Heavy biodegradable matting - 700 gram, 6.5’ x 160’ (check with local supplier for availability options).

Stakes
Need biodegradable 12” eco-stakes (~80-90 per roll of matting)
and 2’ oak stakes (~60-70 per roll of matting).

Note: These materials can be purchased from erosion control
companies and landscape/farm supply stores.

Other Helpful Tools
Mallets, shovels, tampers, rakes, seed spreaders, and volunteers.

D) Grade bank(s) to appropriate slope (3:1 is ideal). Equipment
is helpful but this can also be done by hand (very labor intensive). Avoid dropping sediment into water.
Keep equipment out of water unless a permit was approved.

E) Seedbed Preparation.
Disturbed soils within riparian areas should be lightly raked to provide maximum soil contact for seed
germination and seedling growth. Surface soils should be loose enough for water infiltration and root
penetration.
Temporary Seed and Specifications
Common
Name
Scientific
Name
Rate
per
acre
Optimal Plant
Date
Rye Grain Secale cereale 30 lbs Aug 15 - May 15
Browntop
Millet
Urochloa
ramosa
10 lbs May 15 - Aug 15
Partridge
Pea
Chamaecrista
fasciculata
10 lbs Mar - May
Add a small roofing nail
to end of 2’ stake for
grip to hold down
matting.
8 NC Cooperative Extension Backyard Stream Repair Program

F) Dig a trench on the upstream end.
A trench should always start on the upstream end of your project to prevent overland flow and high water
streamflow from cutting under the matting. Dig a 6.5’ trench line perpendicular to the stream from the
water’s edge for the width of matting. Another trench line should be dug along the top of where matting
will be laid for the entire reach length; parallel to the stream.
G) Spread temporary and permanent seed mix with spreader for more uniform planting.
Choose temporary seed based on time of year (chart on page 7) and select permanent seed. Many seed
suppliers can pre-mix temporary and permanent seed together. Seed suppliers can assist you with a rate
per square foot based on the seeds you select.

H) Lightly cover seed with straw.
Purpose: to lightly cover seed, provide moisture for growth and protect seed from scavenging birds.

Should be able to see soil through straw like inset photo.
Straw
Blue arrow depicts water flow direction. Above left photo shows a site with Trench 1
perpendicular to the stream at the beginning of mat roll. Trench 2 is to secure top of mat.
Above right photo depicts a site where another matting layer is needed due to typical high
flows. Trench 3 and Trench 4 are dug perpendicular to the stream for start of rolled matting.
Trench 5 is parallel to the stream at the top of the bank.
Trench 2
Tr
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1

T
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3

Tr
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4

Trench 5
NC Cooperative Extension Backyard Stream Repair Program 9

I) Start coir matting in
trench. The following
sequence of photos
demonstrate how to
install matting.
Matting 4) Once all the matting is laid out and
secured with stakes, cover trenches with a few
inches of soil, tamp it down and lightly cover
top edge with straw to undisturbed landscape.
Matting 2) Roll out matting and tamp down oak
stakes every 4’ at water’s edge. Follow the
contours of streambank with matting constantly
touching soil. Do not pull taut.
Matting 3) Add 2’ oak stakes every 10’ to top of
matting. Randomly hammer in eco-stakes every
4’-6’ feet throughout the matting as well as
along the top edge.
Matting 1) Lay start of matting in trench and tamp in 2’ oak stakes with nail on
end. Add every 1.5’ to top of trench. Overlap extra matting rolls by 1’.
Overlap
Tr
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Tr
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10 NC Cooperative Extension Backyard Stream Repair Program

Step 4: Choosing the Right Plants

Plants for streambanks should be selected based on soil moisture, sun, height and width or spread.
Choose native plants for best results.

Tips for planning a shoreline garden:

 View: Consider the views you want to maintain and frame a “view corridor” from your home. Utilize
vegetation that will vary in height as it matures. You can limb up trees and shrubs to see the water
but use proper pruning practices. The more plants growing, the more root mass stabilizing the
streambank.
 Plant Location: Choose plants according to their moisture tolerance. Plants in Zone A are located at
the water’s edge and will have wet roots 99% of the time. Plants in Zone B may only be wet 67%-99%
of the time; such as during storm events or seasonal inundation. Soil saturation could vary from 1’-
6’ away from the water’s edge. (Tip: Dig a 1’ deep hole. Try to make a ball; if it crumbles...it’s not
saturated). Plants in Zone C prefer a drier soil condition but must be adapted to seasonal flooding.

 Foliage: Do you want to attract certain birds and butterflies? Do you want seasonal color throughout
the year? Adding texture, form and habit can produce interesting plant patterns. Choosing a variety
of deciduous and evergreen provides seasonal interest.

C
A
B
Planting zones: A = Herbaceous, B = Livestakes and C = Containers.
NC Cooperative Extension Backyard Stream Repair Program 11

 Spacing: There are two ways to space plants; 1) over planting for quicker root mass to hold soil or 2)
space according to future mature height and width (aka spread). Plant in groupings of species for a
garden or landscaped feel. Research shows you’ll keep it, if you love it! Use a variety of plant sizes
to save costs but keep in mind they will increase in size (ex. plugs, bare root seedlings, livestakes,
and containers).
 Inventory: Onsite plants may be transplanted. Avoid
planting and try to eliminate non-native invasives, which
are plants that tend to out-compete everything and
become a monoculture.

Optimal Plant Scheduling
 Stream edge herbaceous transplants or plugs - plant after last Spring frost
 Livestakes and bare root seedlings – Winter
When plants are dormant (October - March) and before bud break.
 Containers – anytime of year
Avoid Summer = requires 1” watering or rainfall per week; difficult to irrigate

Common Non-native Invasives
Ailanthus altissima (Tree-of-Heaven)
Albizia julibrissin (Mimosa)
Elaeagnus umbellata (Autumn Olive)
Fallopia japonica (Japanese Knotweed)
Hedera helix (English Ivy)
Lespedeza cuneata (Korean or Sericea Lespedeza)
Ligustrum sinense (Chinese Privet)
Microstegium vimineum (Japanese Stiltgrass)
Paulownia tomentosa (Princess Tree)
Pueraria lobata (Kudzu)
Rosa multiflora (Multiflora Rose)
Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica)
is rapidly growing along a newly graded
site. It spreads by underground
rhizomes, up to 30’ away from the
parent plant, as well as from seed and
plant parts that float downstream.
Planting in Matting
Make an X cut with a knife in matting. Dig a hole deep
enough for plant. Take plant out of pot, loosen roots
and put in hole. Put dug out soil back around plant.
12 NC Cooperative Extension Backyard Stream Repair Program

Sun Conditions
F Full Sun 6+ hours
P Partial Sun 2-6 hrs
S Shade <2 hrs

D/E Deciduous (D) / Evergreen (E)
Type Common name Botanical name Sun Height
x Width
Wet
Code
Bloom
Time Bloom D/E Features
FERN Chain Fern Woodwardia areolata P-S 1'-2' OBL D Amphibian shelter
GRASS Sweet Flag Acorus calamus F-P 2'-4' OBL Crm,
Yel E Iris-like leaves,
flowers not showy
GRASS Fringed Sedge Carex crinita P-S 4' OBL E Drooping seed heads
GRASS Southern Waxy
Sedge Carex glaucescens F 2'-4' OBL Blu E Food source for
waterfowl
GRASS Spike Rush Eleocharis
quadrangulata F-P 2' OBL E 4-sided rush
GRASS Soft Rush Juncus effusus All 3'x1' FACW E Clump-forming
PERENNIAL Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnata F-P 2'-4' OBL Jun-Oct Pnk D Pollinator
PERENNIAL Hardy Hibiscus Hibiscus moscheutos F 3’x2’ OBL Jul-Sept Red D Bird, butterflies,
hummingbirds
PERENNIAL Blue Flag Iris Iris virginica F-P 2' OBL May Blu,
Wht D Bird, butterflies,
hummingbirds
PERENNIAL Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis F-P 3'-5' FACW May-Oct Red D Hummingbird,
pollinator
Zone A: Herbaceous plants
A sampling of herbaceous plants that can bend with the river flow at the water’s edge (wet code = OBL and
FACW).
Wet Code
OBL Zone A Obligate Wetland: Found in wet zones 99% of time. Plant roots tolerate
saturation.
FACW Zone B Facultative Wetland: Usually occur in 67%-99% of time in wetlands, but
occasionally found in non-wetlands (ex. fluctuating river levels).
FAC Zone
B/C
Facultative: Equally likely to occur in wetlands or non-wetlands;
estimated probability 34%-66%.
FACU Zone C Facultative Upland: Usually occur in non-wetlands 67%-99% of time, but
occasionally found in wetlands 1%-33% of time.
UPL Zone C Obligate Upland: Occur almost always in non -wetlands 99% of time.
Bloom Color
Blu Blue
Bur Burgundy
Crm Cream
Grn Green
Org Orange
Pnk Pink
Pur Purple
Red Red
Wht White
Yel Yellow
NC Cooperative Extension Backyard Stream Repair Program 13

Zone B: Livestakes
Livestakes are cuttings from certain native, dormant trees and shrubs. They are inexpensive and hardy.
The ones listed below have proven successful (wet code = OBL and FACW).

Harvesting Livestakes
Best time to cut and plant livestakes: November-February
1. Cut stakes from long, upright branches (2’ long x thumb-width in diameter). Remove no more than 5%
of the parent plant.
2. Make an angled cut on the branch just below a leaf node. Measure about 2’ and make a straight cut
above a leaf node.
3. Immediately remove leaves and small branches after cutting stakes. Any extra pieces or “whips” can be
pushed into the streambank as well.
4. Keep livestakes wet in a bucket until ready to plant. Never leave stored livestakes in the sun or let
them dry out. For best results, plant livestakes within 24 hours of harvest. Make sure to keep them
upright, if planted upside down they will not grow.
Common
Name Botanical Name Sun Height x
Width
Wet
Code
Bloom
Time Bloom D/E Features
Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis F-P 10'x5' OBL Jun-Aug Wht D Fall reddish flowers, yellow leaves,
fragrant
Silky
Dogwood Cornus amomum F-S 6'-10' FACW May-Jun Wht D Attracts birds, hummingbirds,
pollinators
Red Twig
Dogwood
Cornus sericea (C.
stolonifera) F-P 15' FACW May-Jun Wht D Attracts birds, hummingbirds,
pollinators
Ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius F-S 8'x10' FACW Spring Wht,
Pnk D Yellow-bronze fall leaves,
exfoliating bark
Silky Willow Salix sericea F-S 12' OBL Spring Grn,
Yel D Wildlife, fast growing, establishes
quickly
Elderberry Sambucus canadensis F-P 5'-12' FACW Jul Wht D Edible
Silky Willow
© Alan Cressler
Ninebark
© David Emmitt Buttonbush
Red Twig Dogwood
Silky Dogwood
© Jon Calabria
Elderberry
14 NC Cooperative Extension Backyard Stream Repair Program

Planting Livestakes Along Creekbanks

Helpful Materials:
Gloves Hammer (dead blow, mallet, etc.)
Smooth metal rod Hand pruners or loppers
Livestakes in bucket of water
Step 3: Plant first row every 3’
minimum. Stagger another row a few
feet up in a triangular pattern and begin
again. As long as the soil is saturated,
livestakes can be installed.
12”
Step 1: Within the first 12” above the
current water level, angle the metal rod
perpendicular to the bank. Hammer a pilot
hole and pull metal rod back out after
starter hole is made. Livestake will go in
starter hole; perpendicular to the bank.
Step 2: Orient livestake with leaf buds
facing upward (pointed end goes into the
ground). Hand push or gently hammer
livestake ¾ of the length into the bank.
Make sure to leave 3”-4” sticking out of
ground above soil line. If the top of the
stake is smashed, make a clean cut for
faster and healthier healing of the livestake.
Buying Livestakes in NC
 Carolina Wetland Services, Inc.; Charlotte, NC
[phone] www.cws-inc.net
 Coastal Plain Conservation Nursery; Edenton, NC
[phone] www.coastalplainnursery.com
 Deerwood Nursery; Zirconia, NC
[phone] www.deerwoodnursery.com
 Foggy Mountain Nursery; Creston, NC
(336) 384-LEAF www.foggymtn.com
 Lumber River Native Plants; Gibson, NC
[phone] www.ncnativeplants.com
 Mellow Marsh Farm; Siler City, NC
[phone] www.mellowmarshfarm.com
 Native Roots Nursery; Clinton, NC
[phone] www.nativerootsnursery.com
NC Cooperative Extension Backyard Stream Repair Program 15

Zone C) Containers (wet code = OBL, FACW, FAC, FACU, and UPL)
Type Common name Botanical name Sun
Height
x
Width
Wet
Code
Bloom
Time Bloom D/E Features
GROUNDCOVER Allegheny Spurge Pachysandra
procumbens P-S 6" UPL Mar-May Wht E Fragrant
GROUNDCOVER Green and Gold Chrysogonum
virginianum P-S 1'x1.5' UPL May-Oct Yel D Nectar producer
GROUNDCOVER Dwarf
Huckleberry Gaylussacia dumosa P 3"-15" FAC Spring-
Summer Wht S Rhizome spreader
PERENNIAL Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta F-P 2'x1' FACU Jun-Oct Yel D Birds love the seed
in Fall, pollinators
PERENNIAL Virginia
Spiderwort
Tradescantia
virginiana P-S 3'x1.5' FACU May-Jul Blu,
Pur D Pollinators
SHRUB Beautyberry Callicarpa
americana P 6'x3' FACU Jun-Aug Wht,
Pnk D Fall clustered
berries, bird
SHRUB Wild Hydrangea,
Sevenbark
Hydrangea
arborescens P 3'-6' FACU Jun-Aug Grn,
Wht D Fast growing, short
-lived, suckers
SHRUB Fothergilla Fothergilla major F-P 10'x9' FACW Apr-May Wht D
Fall leaves yellow,
orange and red-
purple
SHRUB Winterberry Ilex verticillata All 15'X10' FACW Jun-Aug Wht D
Birds eat berries
after they freeze a
few times
SHRUB Virginia
Sweetspire Itea virginica All 6'X6' OBL Jun-Jul Wht D Butterflies, birds,
pollinators
SHRUB Doghobble Leucothoe
fontanesiana P-S 4'x5' FACW April-May Wht,
Pnk E
Fragrant flowers
produce good
nectar; good
amphibian cover
TREE Downy
Serviceberry
Amelanchier
arborea F-P 25'x15' FAC Mar-May Wht,
Pnk D Fall gold to red-
orange, birds
TREE River Birch Betula nigra F-P 70'x60' FACW D Exfoliating bark;
fast-grower, bird
TREE Fringetree Chionanthus
virginicus All 20'x20' FAC May Wht D Fruit attracts birds
TREE Persimmon Diospyros virginiana All 30'-60' FAC May-Jun D Birds, butterfly,
pollinators
TREE Carolina
Silverbell
Halesia carolina or
H. tetraptera F-P 30'x15' FAC Apr-May Wht D Pollinators
TREE Witch Hazel Hamamelis
virginiana F-P 30'x25' FACU Oct-Nov Yel D Birds
16 NC Cooperative Extension Backyard Stream Repair Program

Cr
e
e
k

La
w
n

Dh

VS

VS

VS

RB

Dh

Dh

Fr

Fr

SD

GG

GG

SD

J
J
J
Example Streambank Design
150’long x 20’ wide
Key # Plant Species Spacing
J 75 Rush (3'x1'; plant
every 2')
SD 30 Silky Dogwood (15'x6'; plant
every 10' at
water's edge
with a second
row 3'-4' on
bank staggered)
VS 10 Virginia Sweetspire (6'x6')
Dh 11 Doghobble (4'x5')
Fr 2 Fringetree (20'x20')
RB 1 River Birch (70'x60')
GG 150 Green and Gold (1'x1.5'; two
rows staggered
at top of bank
every 1.5')
Seed Mix Across Entire Site
Plant Species
Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia hirta
White Clover, Trifolium repens
Buckwheat, Fagopyrum esculentum
Partridge Pea, Chamaecrista fasciculate
Browntop Millet, Urochloa ramosa
NC Cooperative Extension Backyard Stream Repair Program 17

White Clover
© Forest and Kim Starr
Buckwheat
© Koba Chan Partridge Pea Black-eyed Susan
Browntop Millet
© Jeff McMillian River Birch Virginia Sweetspire Doghobble
Rush Green and Gold Fringetree
This cross-section depicts a gentle slope. The
below plants are those found in the design on the
opposite page.
Silky Dogwood
18 NC Cooperative Extension Backyard Stream Repair Program

Plant Expectations
In the first year, expect additional volunteer plants to grow. Learn to
identify and decide whether to pull out or manage.

Some plants can die back but may sprout from the base of the plant;
give plants a season before giving up and replacing. It may take more
than a year for permanent seed to germinate and begin to grow.

It may take a few seasons to a few years for plants to establish (grow
beyond their root ball and not need 1” of water per week); depending
on the plant.

Throughout the year sediment and debris may deposit on matting. It is
okay to leave deposits in place as they often move on with another
storm.

Plant Selection
 A Field Guide for the Identification of Invasive Plants in Southern Forests
http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/news/456
 Conservation Buffers: Design Guidelines for Buffers, Corridors, and Greenways.
http://www.bufferguidelines.net/
 NC Native Plant Society
http://www.ncwildflower.org/
 NC Forest Service, Urban and Community Forestry
http://ncforestservice.gov/Urban/Urban_Forestry.htm
 North American Digital Flora: National Wetland Plant List
http://wetland_plants.usace.army.mil/
 Riparian Vegetation Resource List (NCSU Stream Restoration Program website)
http://www.ncsu.edu/srp/riparian.html
A shoreline garden in Boone, NC.
Soft Rush (Juncus effusus) and
Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis,
pictured above) will often come up
along creek banks without planting.
These two plants bend with river
flows and stabilize banks at the
water’s edge.
NC Cooperative Extension Backyard Stream Repair Program 19

Step 5: Maintaining Your Shoreline Garden

The best care is the least care when it comes to a stream buffer. Resist the urge to tidy up. Here are
some typical maintenance suggestions.

 Install deer and beaver guards to protect plants from wildlife browsing for the first couple of years.

 Initial fertilization / liming - get a soil test to determine what the soil needs are.

 Visit streambank at least seasonally.
 Spring  Summer
 Fall  Winter

 Pick up litter and trash as it will most likely wash down from upstream.

 Observe plant survival rates to determine what needs to be replanted.

 Observe and ID invasive plants to determine your eradication management plan. If you keep up with
what is supposed to be there, and get rid of what's not on your list, it will make for much easier
maintenance in the future.

 Prune only as needed for future health of the tree. The object is to build a strong, below ground, root
system to protect bank integrity and allow a dense canopy to shade the stream. If a large tree
threatens to fall from a steep bank, you can cut the tree 10’ above the ground surface, and leave the
root system in place. The “snag” that remains on the streambank will provide a great home for wildlife.

 Mowing - while not always needed or required, could be mowed at 6” once plants are established. This
should be done in late Fall but watch for trees and shrubs (be very careful not to hit planned vegetation
with weed eater as this will scar it and open the door to future disease and early plant death).

 Inspect after large rain events or flooding. Repair small eroded spots before they get worse. If large
woody debris is going to dam the creek and cause inundation, remove a 2’ piece out of the log so water
can flow through but leave the rest for fish habitat.

 Succession happens so eventually perennials will thin out due to shade from trees and shrubs.

Helpful tip: Google pictures of what was planted by season, so you know what you've got and don't
accidentally cut down good vegetation!
20 NC Cooperative Extension Backyard Stream Repair Program

“The song of the river ends not at her banks
but in the hearts of those who have loved her.”
-Buffalo Joe

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