Livestaking at Biddle Mission Park

Join us on March 7th at 1pm to learn how to collect and install native livestakes. We will be meeting at Biddle Mission Park and will be planting the livestakes into the bank of the Letort to help stablize the bank and prevent erosion. There will also be native tree and invasive plant identification included for those that are interested in learning more.

This is an educational event with a hands-on component so come prepared to get dirty! Please wear sturdy footwear and dress warmly as we will be outside for the duration of the event. All hand tools and materials will be supplies.

What is livestaking exactly?

“Livestaking” consists of taking foot-long cuttings of trees and shrubs and directly installing them into the ground. The cuttings will resprout and grow into new individual plants. Livestaking works well with tree and shrub species that are wet-loving and grow relatively quickly. Some common species that can be used as livestakes include elderberry, silky dogwood, buttonbush, winterberry, sycamore, black willow, and smooth alder. Livestaking is done in areas with relatively wet soil, like stream banks or wetlands. It is very commonly used during stream restoration projects as a method to stabilize steep banks or revegetate areas that are very wet. The livestakes need to be installed while the plants are dormant, which is why we are having this event during the early spring before the plants start to leaf out.

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Host or Publisher MS4 and Floodplain Coordinator, Borough of Carlisle