The CSBI program addresses specific needs and accomplishes goals in support of the Stream Management Program.
For more info about the program contact Program Coordinator Catherine Skalda at 607-865-5223.
Viburnum trilobum, American Cranberrybush or Highbush Cranberry, is a native flowering shrub that can be found throughout the north temperate region between British Columbia all the way to Newfoundland, south to Washington state and east to northern Virgina. While not a true cranberry, the American Cranberry, produces fruits that both taste and look like cranberries. Its leaves are three-lobed, and look maple-like, hence the name “trilobum”.
This large shrub can grow 8 to 15 feet tall by 8 to 10 feet wide, preferring well-drained, moist, rich, and loamy soils, however, tolerates occasional flooding, road salt, and wet sites. Its dense foliage, stems, and fruit make it an excellent plant for attracting birds and small mammals, and the small clusters of white flowers preceding the fruits attract many pollinators.
American cranberry makes a beautiful landscape plant as it changes with the seasons and can be either grown individually or trained into a hedge or screen with multiple plantings.
Quercus rubra’s, Northern Red Oak, native territory spreads from the mid-west through the northern and eastern U.S., zones 4 to 8, dominating forests by both size and abundance. One of the most shade-tolerant oaks, it thrives in mesic upland forests, ravines and north and east slopes preferring acidic soils.
Blooming in spring, the northern red oak is a nectar source and larval host for the Gray Hairstreak butterfly. Blooms give way to acorns that provide a major food source for birds and small and large mammals – including squirrels! Its fall color can be crimson, golden-orange, or russet, creating striking shows of color across its habitat range. As the northernmost eastern oak, “the great timber tree” is the most important lumber species of red oak, used for flooring, furniture, millwork, railroad crossties, mine timbers, fence posts, piling, pulpwood, and more.
Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus)’s range stretches across the Eastern U.S. into Canada, preferring full to partial sun in riparian and upland sites. White pine trees can be seen in a wide variety of habitats from dry rocky forests to edges of wetland. This species provides an important winter habitat for non-migrating birds, including the Barred Owl, woodpeckers (especially the impressive Pileated woodpecker), tufted titmouse, chickadees, goldfinch, and others. The tree’s seeds are eaten by many birds and small mammals, while black bear mothers and cubs utilize large trees for climbing and safety – be sure to look up!
In early winter, you may see yellow needles dropping to the ground, adding to the mulch, and creating new soil as they decompose. This is a natural process for the trees which shed some of their older needles to save energy for new spring growth. This also reduces the load on the tree during heavy spring snows. White pine can be identified by the number of long (3 to 5 inch) soft clusters of needles. White pine has five needles in a bundle, whereas other pine species have them in bundles of three. The cones, which are often used for decoration, hang from branches and can be from 5 to nearly 10 inches long.
Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is a unique, small, shrub or tree that is native to the Midwest and Eastern United States. Reaching only about 15 feet tall, witch hazel prefers part to full shade in moist woods, thickets, and bottomland sites – look along the edges of woods and in the understory for its delicate flowers. These fragrant, bright yellow, ribbon-like flowers bloom in fall, displaying strap-like, crumpled petals that persist after golden-yellow fall foliage drops. The flowers provide an important source of seasonal nectar for the Owlet moth and other pollinators.
Witch hazel’s velvety fruits from last year’s flowers appear alongside this year’s blooms and are a food source for birds, including wild turkeys, and small mammals. The plants are also browsed by deer and beaver. Witch hazel makes a striking addition to shady home gardens, especially while most other plants wind down in the fall.
Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea) is a shrub native to the Catskill region and is adapted to moist riparian and upland sites, growing well along both streams and ponds. The plant’s beautiful red stems are complemented by its green leaves and unique white berries that ripen in the fall. These features make it a striking landscape plant and a favorite amongst ornamental gardeners.
Red Osier Dogwood has a high wildlife value, with its seeds, fruits, flowers, twigs, bark, and leaves all used as food by various species. Many native pollinators are attracted to the delicate spring flowers. The fruits are eaten by at least 36 species of birds, and many mammals, small and large. The bush also provides a good nesting site for birds.
The end of summer is marked by the native Symphyotrichum novae-angliae, or the New England Aster, with its bunched, daisy-like purple or pink flowers dotting roadsides, woodland edges as well as floodplains and meadows. This species is good at supporting a variety of wildlife, especially pollinators. The flowers provide an important source of nectar for Monarchs as they head south, as well as bees and other butterflies. Plants are larval hosts for the Pearl Crescent and Gorgone Checkerspot butterflies, and the Wavy-Lined Emerald moth. As attractive as these showy flowers are to pollinators, this is one of those plants that is not preferred by deer due to its slightly fuzzy foliage, so would be a great choice as a native plant in your garden.
Growing three to six feet high, the New England Aster is commonly used for roadside plantings, restorations, wetland planting, and rain gardens, with a preference for full to partial sun and moist sites.
In August, look for Eutrochium maculatum’s purple clustered blooms rising 4-7 feet high from moist, fertile, humus-rich soils. Also known as Joe-Pye-Weed or Spotted Joe-Pye-Weed, the native perennial blooms mid-summer through early fall on tall stems with serrated, lance-shaped green leaves. Deer-resistant, Joe-Pye-Weed’s fragrant blooms do attract pollinators including Eastern tiger swallowtail and black swallowtail butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. These insects attract insectivorous birds, while in the fall, the clustered blooms produce seeds which provide food for the American Goldfinch and other birds and small mammals.
While preferring full sun, Joe-Pye-Weed’s preference for wet spaces makes it a great addition to areas that many landscaping plants do not tolerate, including rain gardens. The plant’s fibrous and rhizomatous roots aid in reducing soil erosion and help the plant spread into colonies that can be divided and replanted.
The Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District’s Stream Management Program is dedicated to restoring and stabilizing streams and reducing nonpoint source pollution to ensure quality drinking water, and providing education and outreach on all phases of stream management and stewardship to help stakeholders make informed science-based management decisions.
