Flood-tolerant trees

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tghb8611 Hazard, KY May 16, 2018

Hi, I'm going to be adding trees and shrubs along a riverbank plane next season, in order to control erosion. I'd like to know which species I can choose from. The land undergoes flooding in late winter/early spring, at least once and, typically, two or three times during that span. Flooding is quite extensive and rises up to the top of the slope above the plane, where I have trees and a garden out of danger. So, I'm wondering whether it would be wise to plant anything down there to shore up the bank and, if so, what?

Thanks,
Tyler

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Handroanthus Lynnwood, WA May 16, 2018

You may consider populus heterophylla or populus grandidentata

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porkpal Richmond, TX May 16, 2018

Cottonwood, willows, and Boxelder all grow on our riverbank.

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mikerotell Franklin Park, NJ May 16, 2018

Bald cypress (Taxodium), tupelo (Nyssa), River Birch (Betula nigra) , swamp magnolia/sweet bay, swamp or red maple (Acer rubrum) are much better options for your area, just to name a few. The others mentioned can be weedy, weak wooded and not particularly attractive. Ok if you can't grow anything else but you live in KY with a climate conducive to growing a variety of different species. Keep in mind however nothing will survive heavy repetitive flooding for weeks on end every year. That may be the reason why nothing is growing there now.

This message was edited May 16, 2018 9:06 PM

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porkpal Richmond, TX May 17, 2018

The trees I mentioned will survive being submerged for weeks annually - their main virtue.

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fabkebab1 Houston, TX Feb 14, 2021

Quote from mikerotell :
Keep in mind however nothing will survive heavy repetitive flooding for weeks on end every year. That may be the reason why nothing is growing there now.

This message was edited May 16, 2018 9:06 PM


I thought Bald Cypress was a swamp plant - meaning it can handle almost 100% flooding (picture attached)

Thumbnail by fabkebab1
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ViburnumValley Scott County, KY(Zone 5b) Mar 20, 2021

Yes, Bald-cypress tolerates/survives regular inundation - especially in swamps which have dry seasons and inundation seasons.

Since the original post was from 2018, there probably isn't going to be any attention from the author now 3 years later.

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