Preventing M-119 erosion

With the ability to cover larger areas more readily and with a quicker establishment rate, grasses are the preferred vegetation to start with for initial soil stabilization. Once the grasses have been established, vegetation like shrubs and trees, which take longer to establish on a site, would be beneficial to place in those areas where an even more robust rooting system is needed to hold soil in place. The following are five native grasses that would be suitable for the terrain and soils along M-119.

Little Bluestem: Native grass that likes full sun and dry or sandy soils. Has dense crowns that can withstand heavy rainfall and features a fibrous root system that will anchor soils on steep slopes. Also beneficial to small mammals and pollinators for habitat. Easy to grow.

Big Bluestem: Native grass like little bluestem but is taller and prefers more fertile soils.  Has an extensive rooting system that penetrates deep into the soil, holding it in place. Also, beneficial habitat for a variety of wildlife species and is easy to grow.

Indian Grass: Native species that thrives in well drained, medium-to-sandy soils and can adapt to a range of soil conditions. Has an extensive rooting system to stabilize soil structure and promotes nutrient cycling in soil with seedheads, providing food for wildlife. It is easy to grow and, when planted from seed, can bloom within the first growing cycle.

Red Fescue: Able to grow in partial shade and full sunlight. Able to adapt to varying light and soil conditions. The dense growth from this grass provides good erosion control. In areas with shade from overstory trees, this grass can vegetate soils that may otherwise be void of a vegetative cover that will lessen runoff erosion.

Pennsylvania Sedge: A low-growing native grass that can handle somewhat dry shaded locations. This grass spreads by an extensive underground rhizome network, allowing it to spread into bare areas faster than seeding. This widespread root system prevents soil erosion on slopes during heavy rains. Once established, it is mostly self-sufficient, requiring very little water or fertilizer to stay healthy.

For steep slopes, using a mix of grass species is the preferred route so as not to rely on one type that may not do as well as another species. For instance, mixing little bluestem and Indian grass together creates a cover with deep roots and soil anchoring. Add red fescue, as it spreads quickly, to provide quicker erosion control as the other grasses establish.

For areas needing restoration on slopes, incorporating big bluestem and Indian grass will provide for long-term stabilization and nutrient cycling on those areas that may be deficient in nutrients due to fertile soil loss. These grasses are resistant to heavy rainfall and have the ability to thrive with less water once established.

Requiring multiple growing cycles to establish, shrubs are best used as supplemental planting with grasses where a more robust, deeper growing rooting system is needed to hold soils in place, such as in those areas of extreme slope grades or ravine areas where water concentrations are heavier during water runoff events.

Creeping Juniper: Will grow on slopes in full sun all day long with barely any moisture. This is a tough, low-spreading evergreen suited for harsh conditions. A single juniper can spread out in a flat pattern several feet, forming a dense needled mat that blocks rainfall from hitting bare soils, causing splash erosion on exposed slopes. The root system spreads outward, anchoring into sandy or rocky soils, holding it firm even during spring snowmelt. It tends to grow slowly at first but, once established, is well suited for extreme conditions.

Smooth and Staghorn Sumac: Establishes deep fibrous roots and is tolerant of poor disturbed soils. Can resist drought conditions and forms dense colonies.

Common Ninebark: Large shrub, up to 9 feet, that flourishes in the toughest conditions. Grows well in sun or shade and varying soil conditions. Several varieties produce fruit in the fall, favored by birds.

New Jersey Tea: A low growing shrub that is nitrogen-fixing for poor dry soils. It helps establish other plant communities and has spreading growth. Will grow in full sun to light shade. Its flowers attract pollinators.

American Hazelnut: Sturdy shrub for drier slopes. Produces nuts for wildlife.

Shrubby Cinquefoil: A small landscape shrub with a decent rooting system that tolerates drought and salt. Good for moderate slopes in full sunlight. Will flower all summer.

Trees provide very good slope stabilization, particularly in denser concentrations where their rooting systems intermesh. Single trees out in the open do provide support but when they are large canopied tend to blow over in high wind events versus when they’re amongst a group, dissipating wind effects. The ideal route is to leave as many trees as possible that are already established on the slope to prevent future failure. The following species of trees have strong, extensive rooting systems anchoring soil on hillsides and slopes.

Red Maple: Strong fibrous root system for moist to moderately dry soils.  Fast growing tree suited for shade.

White Oak: Develops one of the strongest root systems of any native hardwood. It grows slowly but provides long-term stability due to its long lifespan. Excellent food source for wildlife, highly drought resistant once established and is less suspectable to oak wilt.

White Cedar: Dense cover that tolerates poor rocky soils on steep slopes.

Sugar Maple: Develops an extensive root system that performs well on moderate slopes. Has a long life span.

Serviceberry: Small tree that performs well on hillsides. Has year-round ornamental values.