Looking for ideas for trees and shrubs to replace/augment an area that is currently pussy willow and coyote (sandbar) willow, with reed canary grass, and marsh marigolds in the sunny bits. Zone 3b, 75 km southwest of Edmonton. So far my list includes birch, black spruce, tamarack, red maple, pin oak, dogwood, saskatoon. What else should be on my list to consider?
Probably goats. After they clear out the reed grass, then maybe you can get some nice plantings going. What else is native to similar sites in your ecoregion? Printed and internet discussions of the floras of such places might turn up something of interest.
The clearing of the existing vegetation is a separate matter. I have suggested to the owner that a partial answer would be to unlevel the bog. Put in a water feature by digging out at one end and putting the fill in a 1-6 foot high hill on the other end. The effect would be to reduce the actual wet willow habitat. I will mention goats. For that matter with appropriate fencing pigs would do a nice job on the vegetation. Alas, she is not resident full time on site. Our region has hoards of coyotes. Not sure who would prevail if it came down to goat and coyote. Given the number of deer ribs my dogs drag in, I won't bet on the goat.
Goats are the most effective. Whenever these or other livestock are placed on a site any protection from predation or the elements these may need has to be provided.
Natively areas like this tend to be almost entirely willow. If it's just a bit drier, balsam poplar comes in, and if they get established through a dry decade, they will dominate -- the willow doesn't like the shade. River alder may be an option too. I see it on ephemeral streams, but I've not seen it on the edges of wetlands. Redosier dogwood will work too, but not if there is actual standing water. We commonly see it as an understory or edge species in both balsam poplar and trembling aspen forests. Slightly drier yet -- trembling aspen and wild rose are the dominant plants, although at times green alder and hazelnut. Some low areas go acidic, and get colonized by spagnum moss. Different subsoil? Anyway, there the typical pattern is a mix of black spruce and tamarack in the bog, and a border of willow and birch, with the birch tending to the outside.
Have you visited the Devonian Botanical Garden for ideas? They have sizable areas of wetland (and wetland margins) that are undeveloped other than paths, from what I recall.
Good idea! Hadn't thought of them. That may be a good place to learn which willow is which too. Give yourself an extra cookie!
