Planting Riparian Areas

Planting shrubs and trees along streams, rivers and lakes provides many benefits. It can improve water quality by filtering run off, increase wildlife by providing food, cover and shade, stabilize banks and reduce the effects of flooding, and increase the recreational value of the waterway and adjacent land. To be successful, the riparian plantings must follow the same rule of thumb as in landscape planting: “right plant … right place”.

Nearest the water flood tolerance and bank stabilization are key elements. The bank zone and the overbank zone flood frequently with spring run-off or heavy rains. Poplars (Populus spp.) and Willows (Salix spp.), either tree or shrub form, can withstand frequent periods of flooding and provide shade to moderate water temperature for the benefit of fish and other aquatic life. Shrubs that spread by suckering or layering, such as Cornus sericea or Symphoricarpos spp., can quickly stabilize bank areas.

The transition zone between the stream bank and the upland zone is an excellent place to plant trees and shrubs used by wildlife. A mixture of species provides a varied food source that is available throughout the year. The plants nearest the overbank zone should be those with some flood tolerance for the occasional high water.

The transition zone slows and filters run off from the upland zone reducing water pollution. Recommended distance from water’s edge to outer edge of the buffer zone is a minimum 35-150 feet wide depending on the size of the waterway. Additional area may be needed to support wildlife species. The upland zone may be forest, agricultural ground, suburban backyards or urban buildings and streets, but in each case the quality of the waterway, the riparian areas and the upland area is improved by proper care and planting of the riparian zones.