Almost universally, plant materials are critical to the long term success of stream restoration projects, and they must be available both in sufficient quantities and at the appropriate times. To address current and anticipated needs for native plant materials, the GCSWCD, in cooperation with NYSDEC, US EPA and NYCDEP has initiated a project to develop sources of plant materials, as well as equipment to assist in the establishment of riparian buffers. Between 2000 and 2003, the GCSWCD will utilize funding from the EPA 319 Program, as well as other sources, to undertake several components of the Plant Materials Program. The District is proposing to initiate a comprehensive program, which will place primary emphasis on development of multiple sources of plant materials as well as improvements in establishment rates, flexibility in seasonal planting’s and sustainability of the planting’s once they are established. Various components of the program are presented in the following sections.
Tree spade placing a tree on the Farber Stream Project .
The District purchased a 65 HP 4WD Ford New Holland tractor and a Vermeer 30" tree spade
Harvesting Agreements
To provide for immediate as well as long term plant material needs, the GCSWCD
will identify existing natural sources of materials suitable for restoration
projects. Stands of primarily willow, suitable for use in bioengineering will be
identified and the District will seek to enter into harvest agreements with
landowners. As required, site improvements such as developing access points and staging areas will undertaken.
The GCSWCD will also develop a GIS based data base for management of the
harvest sites which will identify their location, the plant types available, and
quantity of materials at each site. The GIS system will allow for keeping track
of harvest operations and regeneration of the materials for future cuttings The
GCSWCD in currently seeking native sources of plant material both for the
harvest of dormant materials (whips) as well as larger trees and shrubs which can be transplanted with the tree spade and moved to restoration sites.
If you will be clearing land for development, or perhaps have an old overgrown farm field which you want to restore or which could use some thinning, please contact the District.
Plant Materials Center
While the GCSWCD feels that a limited number of species, primarily willows, are
available to meet short term plant material needs, a serious weakness in the
plant supply chain involves the lack of enough variability to allow for an
effective mixed species planting.
The second phase of the Districts
project will focus on the establishment of new plantings which will be harvested
at a later date. Materials will include plantings for harvest
of dormant cuttings, as well as trees and shrubs lined out for transplanting at
a future date. The plant material facilities will also include the ability for
holding plant materials such as potted or balled trees/shrubs, and future plans
call for the development of cold storage facilities.
The District will be undertaking site improvements such as developing portable
irrigation capability, seed beds, rooting beds and holding areas.
Recent Willow Planting
on The Farber Project
In November 2000, the District was joined by over 35 volunteers from local sportsman associations: Trout Unlimited, NYCDEP, NYSDEC, NSYDOT and AmeriCorp members to plant willows on the Farber project.
The GCSWCD greatly appreciates the support of a wide range of volunteers who have helped with all aspects of our plant materials program. Special thanks to:
Ashokan-Pepacton Chapter Trout Unlimited
Catskill Mountain Chapter Trout Unlimited
Columbia-Greene Chapter Trout Unlimited
Catskill Outdoor Education Corp.
Hutterian Brethren, Catskill Bruderhof
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