Seed Shop | By EcoLogic Horticulture
Riparian restoration often relies on dormant live stakes to re-establish vegetation, but these methods can produce variable results depending on site conditions and moisture availability.
To improve reliability, EcoLogic produces rooted willow plant material grown from locally sourced genetics. This includes rooted stakes in 3.14L air-pruning pots and rooted whips in 250 mL plug formats.
All material is derived from EcoLogic’s willow motherbeds in Strathmore, Alberta, with source populations from the Bow, Red Deer, and Oldman River watersheds, ensuring regional adaptation and ecological alignment.
Rooted willows are specified when:
Rooted willows are ideal when project success cannot rely on dormant cuttings alone.
Rooted willows are grown from locally sourced cuttings and established in nursery conditions before installation, providing a fully developed root system at the time of planting. Unlike dormant live stakes, which must initiate rooting after installation, rooted willows are already actively growing and ready to establish immediately.
This allows for greater reliability in challenging site conditions and reduces the variability often associated with live staking alone.
Once installed, the plants continue to expand their root systems into the surrounding soil, accelerating stabilization and vegetation development. The result is a more predictable and resilient approach to riparian restoration.
The following videos demonstrate how we process, grow or colllect willows in real-world conditions.
We care deeply about how willow material is grown because we know what it is being asked to do after it leaves our nursery. Whether it is a live stake, a rooted willow, or a Tall Rooted Stake, each format is produced with the goal of supporting stronger establishment and better restoration outcomes. Give this article a read to become better aquatinted with a few of the most popular formats.
Human development and natural disasters have led to degradation and erosion of habitat leaving many riparian areas in need of restoration. With evolved understanding of our local ecology an innovation is starting to take center stage. Say hello to the Tall Rooted Stake or TRS.
