Live Stakes Planting Pilot Project

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Live stake planting is a technique used to establish streamside (riparian) vegetation by cutting stems from parent plants, then inserting them into the stream banks.

In February 2024, a pilot project to harvest and plant live stakes collected in Arlington was begun. County staff and volunteers harvested nearly 800 live stakes from trees and shrubs under a power line in Barcroft Park. The live stakes were cut and soaked in water, then planted in eroding stream banks at Gulf Branch.

The live stakes were planted in sections of Gulf Branch that the upcoming stream project won't cover, after the Gulf Branch project scope was reduced to help limit tree impacts and prioritize high-risk areas.

By planting live stakes along this stream section, we aim to:

  • Provide stabilizing tree and shrub roots to help hold soil in place and slow erosion,
  • Use native species that are well-adapted and suitable for live stakes and local Arlington streams,
  • Gather information about effectiveness of locally cut live stakes in Arlington streams.

Many thanks to the Arlington Regional Master Naturalists (ARMN), stream monitors and community members who helped make the live stakes harvesting and planting day successful! 

All photos copyright and courtesy of Master Naturalist Toni Genberg. See more ARMN photos. 

Smiling volunteer holds cut branches

Harvesting live stakes from native trees and shrubs under a powerline

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Volunteers and staff gesture to the full buckets of live stakes

Volunteers and County staff show the results of their hard work harvesting live stakes!

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Group photo, 13 volunteers and County staff

The live stakes crew planted nearly 800 live stakes at Gulf Branch in February 2024

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Power lines run overhead, three volunteers work among shrubs and trees

Power lines hang overhead as volunteers harvest native plant material

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Sue places cut branches in a bucket

County staff Sue Kim places cut branches in water to soak before planting. The team cut the stems at an angle on the bottom, and flat on top.

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Smiling volunteer wearing a safety vest carries branches and a lopper

Master Naturalists, stream monitors, and community members helped with this pilot project

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Volunteers gather around County staff next to Gulf Branch

County staff Sue Kim explains the pilot project to volunteers before planting

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Seven volunteers and eroding streambank. Volunteers hold rebar, mallets, and cut branches

The live stakes pilot project aims to help slow erosion.

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Volunteer hammers rebar into eroding stream bank

Volunteers use rebar and mallets to make holes for thicker live stakes

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Volunteer stands on steep bank to insert live stakes into the soil

Steep banks made for a challenge, but master naturalists, stream monitors and community members were up for it!

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Volunteer in a green hat pushes a thin live stake into the soil

Volunteers accessed the banks from above and below

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Working from above and below a steep eroding stream bank

Bank erosion is a challenge along many of Arlington's steep stream valleys

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Volunteers in the stream valley. A large fallen tree and exposed root mass is in the background.

Volunteers cut branches into smaller sections for live stakes

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Volunteers and County staff push live stakes into the stream banks

Volunteers and County staff push live stakes into the stream banks

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Seven happy volunteers and staff stand behind seven full buckets of harvested live stakes

Nearly 800 live stakes were harvested and planted in Gulf Branch

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Group photo, 13 volunteers and County staff with stream in background

The live stakes planting crew at Gulf Branch

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Two smiling volunteers walk along a path next to Gulf Branch, holding rebar and a pair of gloves

Heading back from the stream after a job well done

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