Trees for brookside erosion control

My SO's family has a camp on a lake (Webb Lake) in the western mountains of Maine. A brook runs along one edge of the property. The brook is slowly eating away at the bank. We've had suggestions of lining the bank with stones but this involves a dizzying array of permits, etc. Any ideas for trees that might be planted to stabilize the bank? I know willows might help (there's no septic nearby) but didn't know if this was the best choice. I've also read about a "River Birch" that sounds promising but there are beavers in the area that seem to have a particular fondness for birches.

Willow is the best, but you'll have the beavers eating them, too. Alders are also good, but another beaver favourite. Maybe interplant with poison-ivy, or something else 'nasty'??

Resin

Thanks, Resin. There's already plenty of poison ivy in the field next to the brook but it doesn't seem to deter the beavers...
Do you think Pussy Willow would be as effective as Weeping Willow?

Best to go for local native willow species, such as Salix nigra. Not too sure what other species you have in ME, but a mixture of sizes and species will look better.

Resin

A groundcover may be a better option.

kfw- never underestimate the power of water and its ability to cause damage. As a rule of thumb, if erosion is occurring that means the ground around the area is not stabilized. Sounds as if you need to slow down that water right now to cause it to lose energy to buy time as well as to be able to work in the area. I've got this little voice telling me you're going to need to dissipate that flow somehow. Usually by the time it gets to the stage you have described (noticeable), one is beyond planting an appropriate tree(s) or using a fast growing cover crop overlaid with mulch or adding hydrophytic vegetation. Although the permitting process appears daunting, it might be your best bet more so because it may insulate you to one degree or another from future liability associated with sedimentation or further erosion as a result of poor site planning. Poor site plans don't get approved based on my personal experiences. I am not familiar with Maine but around here, we are subject to violations and possibly even expensive fines if we attempt to circumvent the process. Ultimately, I believe it is our responsibility to prevent environmental damage downstream when working in an area such as this and I must admit dealing with the Army Corp of Engineers, if dictated, can be extremely intimidating and stressful but... better to involve them if necessary before there is an issue as opposed to after one has been created. Each site is different and has its own set of circumstances and problems and often times when dealing with water it is best to educate one's self as best as possible then go out and enlist qualified professionals with whom you can discuss your concerns. The unique characteristics of your site should be taken into consideration when creating an erosion control plan. I've found that a couple hundred dollars for qualified professionals can go a long way and that most of the work recommended has been able to be done by myself. Additionally, they armed me with more than enough information to complete the requisite paperwork for permitting on my own. I guess what I am saying is that it sounds as if you might want to start out by contacting your Bureau of Land and Water Quality and your Department of Conservation because there are so many variables here that can't be adequately addressed by cyber well wishers. If you have a spare moment, you might want to go online and research geotextiles if you can as I get the distinct impression that is the route you may be headed. Are you in a position to provide photographs of this brook, it sounds beautiful? Are you aware that there may very well be "free" professional services out there as well as "free" money to help you with this type of a restoration?

http://www.maine.gov/dep/blwq/watersh.htm

I would plant a mixture of shrubs species like Red-osier dogwood, silky dogwood, grey dogwood, false indigo, arrowwood viburnum, elderberry, maybe even prickly ash. Shrubs will handle the beaver pressure better than tree species since they regrow well after being cut back. Black Willow and Green and White Ash are fast growers that also will sucker nicely if they get feasted on and White pine are usually left alone.

Rivers are wanderers and will change their course as they travel over the landscape. Rip rap, or stone and rock work, placed on the banks of rivers can be counter productive..... it depends on the dynamics of your waterway. This is were the permits would be coming in. I would contact your local Natural Resource Conservation District for help. You should be able to get the contact name of an individual that can help by calling your local United State Department of Agriculture. Locally we are placing wood debris in our rivers to help reduce the force of some waterways. This also creates some very important and needed wildlife habitats.

Good luck

Prickley Ash is an interesting thought.

I was thinking along the lines of anchored bales of straw.

Yes, there are a variety of trees and shrubs that should work well for your streamside... as mentioned by the others, willows, dogwoods, birch and such. Going with a variety is also a nice idea. Each plant will find its niche, but also the diversity will help provide some for wildlife (food and usage), granted the beavers can be problematic... Better to have beavers and wildlife than not... it does suggest the area/environement is healthy, so adding more and different plants will further support this.