CT NFC Plants Trees and Cleans Up Local Stream

Led by Vice Chair Michael Jastremski, the Connecticut Chapter of NFC performed a live staking effort along a coldwater stream in the Housatonic River watershed in extreme western CT. Chair Rowan Lytle, board member Irsal Cabahug, Advisory Council member Mike Humphries, along with Mike’s son and a friend supported the effort.

Live taking involves cutting live branches, in this case willow and dogwood, and planting them in the streambank. In areas where native shade tree flora has been removed or nonnative brush has taken over, this can be an effective method to restore riparian habitat. 

Once grown, the branch-originated trees will provide shade to the stream and stabilize the banks to prevent further erosion. As they age, some will fall and provide in-stream large woody debris habitat. These trees also provide habitat for insects that can provide forage for fish.

CT NFC cut and removed non-native rose and bittersweet, picked up litter, and planted what they hope will be long lived native trees that aid in the preservation of important cold water native fish habitat. The effects should be noticeable in a few years. Thanks to all involved…