My folks live on the Rock River and as the years pass their bank has been receding. I would like to plant a riparian willow species or some other tree/brush that prevents erosion. Even though I grew up in IL I am only familiar with what species to use in the North and Western USA. I am a firm believer in using only local species, but since most of the local rivers have been altered I am limited in where to get clippings or what species to try to purchase. I have found local nurseries to be of little help. They typically have ornamental willows but don’t know if they make for good riparian erosion control. Most importantly the plant labels only list the genus (understandable Salix are hard to ID) and no one will guarantee that it is a NATIVE plant. -What species of willow are native to northern IL riparian areas and provide good erosion control? Where can one obtain clippings or seedlings? -What other native species of vegetation do you recommend for stabilizing banks? Where would one obtain them?

Greetings Peter:

Since there is a lot of information available on this topic, I'm going to steer you to two Websites:

1. Illinois Natural Resources Conservation Service. This Website serves as an Illinois Native Plant Guide and talks about streambank stabilization, species selection, plant material vendors, etc.

http://www.il.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/plants/npg/

2. Ken Robertson’s List of IL Native & Naturalized Woody Plants (including willows):

http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/~kenr/woody2.html

You can also consider sycamore, cottonwood, river birch, silver maple, boxelder - don't limit yourself to one species when a mix species planting would probably prove more successful in the long-run.

Best of luck to you!