Bank stabilization with vegetation in Mississippi

[newbury]

All around my shops, house, driveway I've fairly steep slopes, generally from 20' to 50' in length.

All of them have become overgrown with what looks like 30 years of Mississippi mixed "let it grow, ignore it" growth. Now it's mostly a mix of Sweetgum (10" to 20" DBH), pine 6" to 20" DBH), some cedar (6 to 14" DBH) and I'm slowly working on clearing it out. But I'd like to plan on replanting with some low and slow growing dense shrub that would shade everything else out to prevent the pines etc. from coming back yet still "hold the ground" and stabilize the slopes.

I don't want grass to mow or more trees to cut.

Any suggestions?

 

[coldsteelva]

Clover

 

[GLyford]

Pines and cedars aren't likely to grow back from the stumps, at least. Are you planning on painting the gum stumps with roundup or triclopyr as you go?

 

[newbury]

Pines and cedars aren't likely to grow back from the stumps, at least. Are you planning on painting the gum stumps with roundup or triclopyr as you go?

Yes, and spot spraying anything that show that I don't like. There are also a lot of poison ivy vines.

 

[GLyford]

Finding things to outcompete poison ivy will be tough.

That reminds me, I have some spot spraying to do...

 

[Streetcar]

I don't know any plants that grow dense enough to crowd out trees, but is low growing. Mowing required at least once a year

 

[/pine]

kudzu ?

 

[newbury]

I don't know any plants that grow dense enough to crowd out trees, but is low growing. Mowing required at least once a year

I guess I should have modified "low growing" to 5 ft high or less.

Sort of like some Arborvitae.

 

[Deere Dude]

All around my shops, house, driveway I've fairly steep slopes, generally from 20' to 50' in length.

All of them have become overgrown with what looks like 30 years of Mississippi mixed "let it grow, ignore it" growth. Now it's mostly a mix of Sweetgum (10" to 20" DBH), pine 6" to 20" DBH), some cedar (6 to 14" DBH) and I'm slowly working on clearing it out. But I'd like to plan on replanting with some low and slow growing dense shrub that would shade everything else out to prevent the pines etc. from coming back yet still "hold the ground" and stabilize the slopes.

I don't want grass to mow or more trees to cut.

Any suggestions?

Don't know what DBH is but why remove them. They are keeping the banks stable and keep the corrosion down, if that is needed in that case.

 

[TCJatko]

Don't know what DBH is but why remove them. They are keeping the banks stable and keep the corrosion down, if that is needed in that case.

Diameter at breast height - Wikipedia How trees are typically measured. Typically this works out to about 4 feet above the ground.

 

[prichard]

I'd find a local native nursery. Native plants should do best.

Other than that I'd be looking at arborvitae, azalea, rhododendron and maybe some lower growing plants like hostas and lantana for color and texture.

Personally I'd keep the pines and cedars as well.

 

[newbury]

Don't know what DBH is but why remove them. They are keeping the banks stable and keep the corrosion down, if that is needed in that case.

They are leaning in and dropping leaves, needles, branches and rubbing against the structures. They are also intertwined in the power lines. Also they constitute a fire hazard.

I'd find a local native nursery. Native plants should do best.

Other than that I'd be looking at arborvitae, azalea, rhododendron and maybe some lower growing plants like hostas and lantana for color and texture.

Personally I'd keep the pines and cedars as well.

The cedars are not a problem, the pines grow like weeds. I'm looking in to arborvitae, azalea and rhododendron but so far am not finding any mention of being used to stabilize banks. I'm trying to find something with a root system that goes deep and spreads far.

 

[smstonypoint]

I'm looking in to arborvitae, azalea and rhododendron but so far am not finding any mention of being used to stabilize banks. I'm trying to find something with a root system that goes deep and spreads far.

Check with your local NRCS (USDA) office. They should be able to provide advice for your locale.

Alternatively (or in addition), contact your local Cooperative Extension office. They should be able to put you in touch with a state Extension specialist.

Steve

 

[Deere Dude]

Diameter at breast height - Wikipedia How trees are typically measured. Typically this works out to about 4 feet above the ground.

Got you. So if I measure it, it will be 4' off the ground and if my wife measures it, it will be 2'.

 

[GLyford]

azalea and rhododendron mostly have surface roots. Maybe 6" down if that.

 

[boomer1025]

Maybe some alfalfa and or crown vetch

 

[bigtiller]

Maybe some alfalfa and or crown vetch

Crown Vetch is considered an invasive or aggressive weed. I don't think it has made the noxious weed list yet, but I wouldn't plant any of it.

 

[prichard]

azalea and rhododendron mostly have surface roots. Maybe 6" down if that.

Good point I forgot about the roots for the slope.

Some juniper have serious roots

 

[newbury]

azalea and rhododendron mostly have surface roots. Maybe 6" down if that.

My only experience with azalea was several out front of my house in Viriginia, root system was dense but only about a foot deep.