What is a Livestake?

Livestakes are cuttings from dormant woody trees or shrubs found along streambanks.

Buttonbush

Cephalanthus occidentalis– part shade to full sun

Silky Dogwood

Cornus amomum– full sun to part sun, some shade

Ninebark

Physocarpus opulifolius– sun to shade

Silky Willow

Salix sericea– full sun to shade

Elderberry

Sambucus nigra– sun to part shade

Benefits of Vegetated Buffers

• Intercepts pollution- acts like a sponge to absorb extra fertilizer, pesticides, heavy metals, etc.
• Stabilizes streambanks- deep root systems of trees and shrubs hold the soil in place
• Stores floodwater in soils and slow flow
• Provides habitat and food for wildlife
• Moderates water temperatures for aquatic species
• Creates a sense of place and reduces noise
• Saves money by reducing property damage, less maintenance and requires little to no chemical treatment.

Harvest Your Own Livestakes

The best time to cut and plant livestakes is November to February.

Step 1: Cut stakes from long, upright branches (2′ long by thumb-width in diameter). Remove no more than 5% of the parent plant.

Step 2: Make an angled cut on the branch just below a leaf node. Measure about 2′ and make a straight cut above a leaf node.

Step 3: Immediately remove leaves and small branches after cutting stakes. These branches or “whips” can be pushed into the streambank as well.

Step 4: Keep livestakes wet in a bucket until ready to plant. Never leave stored livestakes in the sun or let them dry out. For best results, plant livestakes within 24 hours.

Planting Livestakes

Helpful Materials

• Gloves
• Hammer (dead blow, mallet, etc.)
• Rebar or pilot hole starter
• Ruler
• Hand pruners or loppers
• Livestakes in bucket of water (harvested or ordered)

Instructions

Step 1: Measure 6″-12″ from the water surface and angle the rebar perpendicular to the streambank. Hammer a pilot hole with rebar and pull out after starter hole is made.

Step 2: Using hand pruners, scar the pointed end of the livestake (pointed end goes into the ground).

Step 3: Orient livestake with leaf buds facing upward. Hand push or gently hammer livestake 3/4 of the length into the streambank. Make sure to leave 3″-4″ inches above soil line.

Step 4: Plant every 2′-3′ in a triangular pattern (spacing about the length of the livestake) and begin again.

Buying Livestakes in NC

• Carolina Wetland Services, Inc.
  • Charlotte, NC
  • 866-527-1177
• Coastal Plain Conservation Nursery
  • Edenton, NC
  • 252-482-5707
• Deerwood Nursery
  • Zirconia, NC
  • 828-606-3625
• Foggy Mountain Nursery
  • Creston, NC
  • 336-384-LEAF
• Lumber River Native Plants
  • Gibson, NC
  • 336-601-8787
• Mellow Marsh Farm
  • Siler City, NC
  • 919-742-1200
• Native Roots Nursery
  • Clinton, NC
  • 910-385-8385

Getting Technical Advice

• Army Corps of Engineers
• North Carolina State Extension (find your county)
• NC Division of Soil and Water Conservation (find your district)
• NC Division of Water Quality