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Dormant Stub Planting Techniques1
John C. York 2
Abstract.--Bank and levee stabilization was done by
using dormant stubs of black willow and cottonwood along
the toes of banks and levees. 3-6 inch logs, 6-7 feet long,
planted into the water table, resulted in exceptionally good .
survival and first season growth. The original 2,000 feet
of plantings have survived 3 minor and 1 major flood and
have given survival protection to the levee they protect.
INTRODUCTION
2. 1welve to fourteen inches
end were scored with a hand ax. ·
Severe streambank and channel erosion has
occurred throughout Arizona since 1980. Heavy
rains and higher than normal runoff have caused
extensive damage to stream channels. Repair of
damaged dikes and levees by rebuilding them was
not adequate. Further protection was needed. By
updating work done by the CCC near Safford,
Arizona, in 1936, some very successful plantings
have been made.
~f
the bottom
3. Cuttings were placed in barrels 1/2 full
of water with the tops up. "Rootone F," a
rooting hormone, was mixed in the water at
1 oz./35 gallons. Cuttings should be placed in
water as soon as possible and hauled to the job
site in water.
4. Cuttings were placed in holes, spaces
around logs were filled with soil and tamped.
5. All cut surfaces above ground were
sealed with white paraffin. (Tree paint is a
better sealant.)
METHODS
In March, 1980, the first of many successful
plantings was made. A 2,000-foot long levee near
Bylas, Arizona, was chosen. The water table was
3 feet from the surface at the toe of the levee.
An apron was dozed along the toe. The trees were
planted 6 feet apart and 3 feet deep.
RESULTS
All of the trees sprouted the first season,
although 5% died when the water table receded.
One hundred percent of the giant reedgrass
rhizomes sprouted. Ninety-five percent survived
the first season. Some of the cottonwood
cuttings sprouted but dried out, split and
resprouted at ground level. All cottonwoods died
back to varying degrees. During the second
season, the reedgrass grew well and the willows
put on intense side branch growth.
Dormant logs, 3-6" diameter and 6 feet long,
of Gooding's willow (Salix goodingii Ball) and
Fremont cottonwood (Populus fremontii wats.) were
planted. Giant reedgr~as planted to control
toe erosion. The trees were planted for habitat
and as barriers to bank cutting. (They were
designed to catch brush and let water through.)
The dormant log cuttings of willow and
cottonwood were planted as follows:
GENERAL COMMENTS
1. Logs were cut with a chain saw with
angle cuts on the root or bottom end and flat
cuts on the crown or top end. This helps to
prevent planting the cuttings upside down. The
cuttings were post-size: about 6-7 feet long and
3-6 inches in diameter.
1. Level all areas on the contour prior to
planting cuttings or rhizomes. This will prevent
moisture stress on plants trying to establish if
the water table fluctuates.
2. Plant all cuttings (logs) before buds
appear or sap starts to rise. Stubs are very
heavy and difficult to handle when the sap is
up. Use three-year or older wood if early and
middle summer temperatures are over 100° F. This
will keep planting stock from drying and
splitting.
1Paper presented at the Poster Session of
the First North American Riparian Conference.
[Tucson, Arizona, April 16-18, 1985].
2John c. York is the State Biologist for the
USDA Soil Conservation Service, Phoenix, Ariz.
513
3. Vary the wound sealant color according
to temperature in the planting area. For
instance, use black sealant if early warming of
the growing tip is needed; use white sealant if
early warming or too hot temperatures is a
problem.
6. There are many species of trees and
shrubs that will root this way. (Commercial
willows, dogwoods, hawthorns, athel, etc.) The
field is wide open for further trials and
plantings.
7. Dormant log plantings using large, barkcovered stock drastically reduces wind, sun, sand
abrasion and insect attacks on planted stock.
4. Dormant log cuttings are successful.
The system opens up all kinds of possibilities.
For instance, erosion control "jacks" can be made
from dormant logs driven into the water table.
Deflection panels or dikes made from planted
dormant logs, rocks and wire consistent with
engineering designs become living deflection
dikes.
8. The most serious problems facing
riparian area rehabilitation using this system
are a lack of planting stock and beavers.
Beavers can be thwarted by woven wire around each
log. Planting stock may have to be produced by
private enterprise. There is an opportunity for
private enterprise as more of these plantings are
made.
5. As long as the dormant logs are placed
in the water table, they grow. Sand dune areas
along rivers can be planted to trees if the water
table is within 14 or so feet. Tall dormant
cuttings can be used so that new growth is out of
reach of livestock.
9. The Soil Conservation Service has
successfully planted over 15,000 feet of levee
protection to date. Results continue to be good.
514