NATIVE LIVE STAKING

PURPOSE

  • To increase biodiversity, create pollinator habitat, restore soils, increase shade, and improve woodland health.

  • Ensure invasive species do not repopulate an area where they have been recently removed

  • Live staking offers an economical opportunity to restore creek banks by utilizing groundwater to ensure survival of material placed in the ground and restore riparian woodlands.

SAFETY

  • Be aware of snakes, scorpions, or fire ants that may be living under rocks or logs.

  • Use sharp tools responsibly.

  • Stay aware of fellow workers to avoid hitting them with brush or tools.

  • Poison ivy is a common understory plant in many areas of the park. Avoid coming in contact with any part of this plant. Wear long sleeves and pants to avoid skin contact.

  • gloves

  • long-sleeved shirts and pants recommended

  • soap and/or lotion for poison ivy treatment

  • rake

  • staking material

MATERIALS

METHODS

  1. Identify an area of creek bank with consistent moisture, low canopy cover, high erosion, or high visibility. The outside of a curve will receive higher floodwater velocities, but is also in greater need of staking.

  2. Source stakes by pruning existing willows on-site. Use stakes of roughly ½-1” diameter and 3-8’ length.

  3. Embed stake 12-18” in the creek bank, using a sharpshooter shovel if needed. Embed stakes 1-3’ apart from one another.

  4. Consider floodwaters and how to secure large stones or utilize them for protection of new plants.

  5. Optional: use dead stakes to protect live stakes or secure large stones. Dead stakes should be straight and free of branches. Ligustrum is recommended.

Appropriate Species

Black willow (Salix nigra)

Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)

Roosevelt weed (Baccharis neglecta)

Cottonwood (Populus deltoides)

Roughleaf dogwood (Cornus drummondii)

American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)

NATIVE TEXAS SPECIES SUITABLE FOR RESTORATION

Includes species suitable for methods such as seeding, container planting, and live staking.

UPLAND FULL SUN SPECIES

UPLAND SHADE-DAPPLED SPECIES

MODERATE TO HIGH MOISTURE SPECIES

Approved Seed Vendors:

For more approved seed mixes, reference Unified Stewardship Plan or City of Austin Standard Specification Manual 609S Native Seeding and Planting for Restoration