Pigeon Creek Watershed Association

In late 2024 our Pigeon Creek Watershed Association had received approval from the Bentleyville Borough Council to conduct a live stake planting trial along Pigeon Creek in Bentleyville’s Richardson Park.

A “Live Stake Planting” takes advantage of the fact that some tree & shrub species root so readily that a properly prepared dormant branch cutting, when planted into moist soils, can take root and develop into a new plant. This relatively simple, low cost technique can be used to stabilize moderately eroded stream banks. These same plant species tolerate moist to wet soils so are ideal for planting at the waters edge where occasional high water flooding can occur. In addition, the flowering and fruiting plants can improve the properties appearance and the habitat for birds & pollinators.

Note to our newsletter subscribers: to view the video and see larger images in the the photo galleries below please click through to the website version of this post.

Since the plantings must take place when the cuttings are dormant we scheduled trials for March 2025. If one has access to a “nursery” of the shrubs you could harvest some cuttings for free. In our case, we ordered them from a large regional supplier, Ernst Conservation Seeds, Meadville, PA.

We ordered 50 stakes, in 8 different varieties for this trial : 2 species each of Willows and shrub Dogwoods plus 1 each of Viburnum, Buttonbush, Ninebark, Elderberry. The varieties chosen will produce flowers from late Winter through late Spring & develop berries or seeds for the birds from Summer through Winter.

Click photo to enlarge and learn the name of the plant.

The stakes ordered were 2ft in length, from 1/4″ to 1″ diameter (most 1/2″ +-), and pointed at one end (so you knew which end was down). (stakes pic) The stakes are planted using 1/2″D steel rebar in 2ft lengths (rebar pic) to make a 15″ pilot hole, perpendicular to the soils surface, in locations where the stake would be close to the water table. The stake is inserted into the pilot hole, firming contact to the surrounding soil.

We picked March 15 as the planting target date figuring we’d have a few alternate choices if the weather turned sour. This turned out to be a stroke of dumb luck “genius”. When we set the date we had no idea that was National Girl Scouts Week and that March 15 was Service Saturday. Because of that lucky choice we got several positive responses from Girl Scout families.

On March 15 over 2 dozen vols showed up by 10 AM. Many were scouts families with younger to older children. After a 10 minute sign in, planting procedure, & safety discussion we headed to the stream. We’d earlier scouted out the stream banks & picked 6 spots ranging from easy access to more difficult terrain. Planting groups could then pick location they felt most comfortable working. Groups set right to work (3 planting group pics) and were close to finished by 10:45 when everyone noticed the skies turning darker. Workers picked up the pace. By 11 AM all stakes were planted and groups were in the picture taking phase when the first raindrops fell. “OK folks” the call went out “standing in the water holding a steel bar is not where you want to be right now”. Everyone heeded & hustled for the exit and parking lot. By the time the skies opened up 15 min later all were either gone or safely in their vehicles.

Click an image to enlarge and view slide show.

Over the course of the coming growing season we’ll monitor which locations & even which varieties of plants took root – useful information for future trials.

Thanks and recognition to :

• The community vols & PCWA members who showed up to plant on a Saturday in Winter.
• The new members signed up at the park.
• Bentleyville Borough – For cooperating in this trial. The park was well maintained; the port a johns were clean & well supplied; clean & empty trash containers were everywhere. Can’t ask for much more.
• The people (walkers) we met at the park. Everyone was friendly, especially the little white dog that really, really, wanted to play with the baby in a stroller that came with our group. Unfortunately that was when the weather was starting to turn darker so we all had to keep hustling.

Come join our group. Help to guide our work & plan future projects!

Ken Yonek
President, Pigeon Creek Watershed Association