Live Stake Program

 

What is Live Staking?

Live stakes are branch cuttings from wetland trees and shrubs that can be planted directly into the soil. Common native species such as Black Willow, Silky Willow, Silky Dogwood, and Elderberry are great for live staking. Up to a third of a plant at a time can be trimmed, cut to size, and replanted right back into the river bank!

Why live stake?

Live staking is a low cost, low-engineering strategy that can be used to help stabilize streambanks. They can be planted within 30 feet of a stream so the roots have access to the water table. Live stakes are a great option along eroding stream banks, especially on outer bends that tend to wash out, or as a supplement to Riparian Buffer Plantings. Roots minimize bank erosion by securing the soil in place.

Learn more about live staking at our February 2026 workshop. Read more and RSVP »

Before live stake After live stake

Live Staking in Action!

One family in Batesville was experiencing erosion along the stream in their backyard. Along with a riparian forest buffer planting, they decided to try live staking! In April of 2025, a group of 18 volunteers met to install over 1,000 live stakes along Stillhouse Creek and the Mechum’s River. Read the whole story: Live Staking for Resiliency »

Get Involved in the Live Stake Program!

Partners of the Upper & Middle James Riparian Consortium are focused on restoring riparian forest buffers across the Upper and Middle James River watershed. Live staking is a low cost, low engineering strategy that can be a tool in stabilizing streambanks and supplementing riparian forest buffers. Between 2025-2027, the Consortium Implementation Team will be developing and piloting a live stake program in the Upper and Middle James River watersheds that increases knowledge of this practice for practitioners, landowners, and volunteers through training and hands on learning and increases use of locally harvested native live stakes in riparian forest buffer projects.

Learn:

Interested in learning how to plant live stakes? Join us at our planting workshop in Charlottesville on Friday, February 20th from 11am-1:30pm. Sign up now! More information will be sent via email to those who RSVP.

Harvest:

Volunteer to harvest live stakes with us! Sign up to be notified when our harvest dates are scheduled.

Order:

Need live stakes? Request them using this form! Pickup times and dates will be listed as soon as possible.

If the pickup times do not work for you, please reach out to Jordan at jbennett@thejamesriver.org to set up another time.

Note that species availability is subject to change. Live stakes are provided at no charge. The average cost is $150 per bundle of 100 live stakes.

Any donation will support the Consortium’s Riparian Action Fund! »

Live Stake Resources

Partners

Workgroup members

  • Amber Ellis, James River Association
  • Bill Shanabruch, Local Ecotype Richmond Natives
  • Bob Seigfried, Resource Environmental Solutions
  • Brock Reggi, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
  • David Wise, Stroud Water Research Center
  • Jordan Bennett, James River Association
  • Matt Kowalski, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
  • Mike Hayslett, Virginia Vernal Pools
  • Nicola McGoff, Wild Ginger Field Services
  • Rachel Bensink, James River Association
  • Repp Glaettli, Albemarle County