Creek Restoration

[Anonymous]

We have a small creek running through our backyard in Castro Valley southeast of Oakland which we recently cleared of choking blackberries. What native plants would be best to restore the habitat?</p>

[Anonymous]

For starters, give the site a year or so to determine how much blackberry you have left. Blakberry can only be completely eliminated by digging out the large root balls. herbicides applied to individually cut stems do not even kills these things. After you are sure you have really gotten a handle on the blackberry try willows, elderberry, sedges and other things that could be suggested by your local park rangers and CNPS chapter.</p>

[Anonymous]

For starters, give the site a year or so to determine how much blackberry you have left. Blakberry can only be completely eliminated by digging out the large root balls. herbicides applied to individually cut stems do not even kills these things. After you are sure you have really gotten a handle on the blackberry try willows, elderberry, sedges and other things that could be suggested by your local park rangers and CNPS chapter.</p>