Need ideas and help for land clearing project.

[Jeff244]

As usual, I have started a project without putting much thought into it. I am clearing some land next to a seasonal creek. The creek is between 6' and 12' below the surrounding ground. Some of the edges are very steep, 90 degrees and sometimes the ground overhangs also. There area a lot of scrub trees, bushes and vegetation to be removed. I would like to be the area to be "park like" eventually. I am wondering if I made a mistake by removing the vegetation all the way upto the edge. Most of the areas are draining away from the creek but I am still afraid it will start eroding especially where I removed the small trees. Will it be less stable now that the tree roots won't be there? Also, What would be best to plant there when it is ready? The area gets very little direct sunlight because of all the trees.


Thanks,
Jeff

[tlbuser]

Maybe not a mistake just an accident. Anytime you remove the vegetation you increase the rate of erosion, but it's still early season so you should be able to mitigate your losses. Yew shrubs, vinca (ground cover), hostas would be some choices I'd consider. The attached article might help.
Shade Plants | Flowering Dogwood Tree | Shade Plants | Dogwood Tree

[Jeff244]

Thanks for the reply tlbuser,

I would love to plant some dogwoods or redbuds, we have a lot of the around here and they look great in the early spring. I don't really want to plant shrubs because they would obstruct the view. As far as ground cover, I would like to plant something by seed, since the area will be about 1000' or so long by the time I'm done. Any trees I plant I should probably stay back around 5' or 10' from the edge so they don't end up falling into the creek. There are a lot of fallen trees that need to be removed from there now.

Here's a few pictures. I can't believe I bent my bucket, it must of been when I was moving one off the larger dead trees. There are more pictures at 7jeff22 - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting


Thanks,
Jeff

[ToadHill]

For groundcover call your local extension or forestry service and see if they sell wildflower, shade mix. I got a packet last year, enough for 2000 sq ft for only a few $$.

[Jeff244]

ToadHill,

That a good idea, I will check it out.

What I want when I am done, is an area that is even enough to mow with a finish mower. I will just bush hog it most of the time and use a finish mower if I know people are going to be walking there or what ever. I am hoping that would keep the chiggers away, they are a big problem here, as well as ticks. If anyone has a better idea I would appreciate it.

I have to wait for it to get dryer to fine grade the area. I am thinking of letting nature take care of whatever is going to grow there and filling in any bare spots on the fall.

I am also planning to make several ramps down to the creek bed for horses, atv's or walking. I am wondering if I should cover the clay with some gravel from the creek or let the plants grow there.



Thanks,
Jeff