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The Childs Property

276 North Muskoka River Road, Muskoka River

Planting plan created by The District Municipality of Muskoka

Survey Date: 07/31/2020

Funded by •

Schedule A:

Plants & Property

Land Characteristics

This planting plan is designed based on the land characteristics identified during the day of the site visit. Plants are chosen according to the soil and light conditions on your property. The number of plants chosen for each planting compartment takes into account the square metre area of the space, as well as the amount of current vegetation cover. Your property is part of ecoZone: 4b

Land Characteristics by Compartment

Plant Selection Summary

The following shrubs and trees are chosen for their suitability and survivability given the current soil and light conditions in each compartment on your property, as well as preferable features.

Plant Information

The following table summarizes key information about each plant selected for your property.

	Narrow Leaved Meadowsweet Height: 1-2m The Narrow Leaved Meadowsweet is an erect, deciduous shrub, which grows in the shape of a mound to a height of 1-2m. This species develops numerous branches and branchlets, giving it a sparse appearance. Leaves produced are simple and narrow with sharply toothed borders growing alternately along the branches. These bright, light green leaves appear crowded, as they grow close together on the stocks and branches. During the fall, leaves turn a yellow-red or yellow-orange colour. Small white to light pink flower clusters appear in the spring growing in a dense, narrow pyramid at the terminal ends of the branches. During late summer to early fall, these flowers produce smooth, papery seed pods.
	Sweet Gale Height: 1-2m Sweet Gale is a medium-sized shrub which grows into a thick bush about 1-2 m tall. This species produces 1-8 cm long, oblong-lanceolate leaves which are finely toothed at the tip and are spirally arranged. When bruised, these leaves give off a pleasant aroma. Male and female catkins are produced on separate plants. The seeds are dispersed from the female plants via water, as they float on two corky bracts. This shrub also provides a good food source for bird species that eat the seeds including Grouse, Chickadees, and Bluebirds. Mammal species like Beavers and White-Tailed Deer also browse on the twigs and leaves of this plant.
	Silky Dogwood Height: 2-4m The Silky Dogwood is a large, deciduous shrub species native to Eastern North America that reaches a height of 2-4m. This species produces a rounded shape due to its numerous upright branches stemming from a central, multi-stemmed base. Branches which grow touching the ground can develop their own root system, often creating thickets. During the spring and summer, branches are a shiny, light green colour and change to a red colour during the fall and winter. This species produces simple, lance-shaped leaves arranged oppositely along the branches. During the spring and summer, the foliage is a deep green colour and turns dark red-purple during the fall prior to dropping. Small, yellow-white flowers bloom during mid-June, maturing into bright blue berries in September. This species of Dogwood grows best alongside Willow when being planted to mitigate erosion and stabilize shorelines.
	Black Chokeberry Height: 1-3m The Black Chokeberry is a medium sized deciduous shrub that typically grows between 1-3m with edible fruit. This species requires full sun to partial shade and can tolerate soil conditions from loamy and moist to rocky and dry. Naturally, Black Chokeberry is found in wet wooded areas such as; swamps, along shorelines, and within forest understory. This species is multi-stemmed, and forms thickets from stems which arise from the roots. Leaves are simple, growing alternately along the branch turning a bold red to orange during the fall. During spring, clusters of showy, white flowers appear turning into dark purple berries by fall. This species is resistant to drought, insects, pollution, and disease. The Black Chokeberry is often cultivated as an ornamental plant and food product. Additionally, this species is useful for bank stabilization and erosion control applications.
	Pussy Willow Height: 6m The Pussy Willow is a fast growing, deciduous shrub or small tree found reaching heights of 6m, and is from British Columbia to Newfoundland. This species grows from shoots extending from the base of the trunk, creating a multi-stemmed, tall, round bush. The Pussy Willow is an ideal species for bank stabilization and erosion control due to its large, fibrous root system and love of water. This species branches extend from the main shoots and are usually hairy and reddish-brown in colour. The main shoots of Pussy Willow are smooth and greyish-brown, becoming scaly with age. It produces simple, narrow, lance-shaped leaves alternately arranged along the branch. The Pussy Willow yields purple-brown fuzzy catkins which will form long-beaked and finely haired capsules during May and June.
	Red Osier Dogwood Height: 1.5-4m The Red Osier Dogwood is a medium-sized, deciduous shrub native throughout Northern and Western North America which typically grows to 1.5-4m. This species is multi-stemmed with numerous erect and ascending bright red branches that create a loose and spreading form. Leaves produced are simple, two-toned with a dark green upper side and light green underside. They are arranged opposite each other along the branches. During the fall, the foliage turns a brilliant red to dark purple. Clusters of small, creamy white flowers form on the terminal ends of the branches between June and July. The Red Osier Dogwood produces blueish-white fruiting bodies during late summer, which may persist throughout the winter. This shrub's berries provide an important winter food source for numerous species, from large deer to small wintering birds.
	Sweet Fern Height: 1 m Sweet Fern is a deciduous shrub species that typically grows 1 m in height. The leaves are dark green coloured, alternately arranged, narrow, lance shaped, have entire margins, rounded lobes, and are deeply notched, giving the appearance of a fern. The leaves are also aromatic when rubbed or crushed. The flowers are small, yellowish green catkins, which bloom between May and June. The fruits are greenish brown, burr like nutlets. This plant fixes it’s own nitrogen, which allows it to grow in poor soil and benefit nearby plants. This plant spreads well to produce small colonies. It is useful for controlling erosion and stabilizing shorelines.
	Yellow Birch Height: 25 m Yellow Birch is a native deciduous tree species that can grow up to 25 m in height. The bark is thin, flaky, shiny, and can be brownish-yellow, bronze, or silvery colored. The leaves are deep greenish-yellow, simple, alternately arranged, oval shaped, have doubly serrated edges, and are about 8-11 cm long. This tree species produces catkins in April-May, which are slim, cylinder shaped, yellowish brown flower clusters. In the Fall, seed pods are produced that are brown colored, cone shaped, and break apart easily. Yellow Birch is a slow growing tree but can live up to 150 years. This tree species is beneficial to wildlife species like birds and mammals.
	Witch Hazel Height: 4-9m The Witch Hazel is a deciduous understory shrub, with a broad and rounded crown which typically grows 5-9m. This species can sometimes take on the form of a tree. Witch Hazel is most recognizable for its 2 cm long, spidery, bright yellow flowers, which bloom during late fall. Leaves produced are alternate, simple, 6-15 cm in length, and obovately shaped. These leaves are dark green on top with paler undersides and turn yellow during the autumn. Witch Hazel leaves produce hairs on their principal veins, are asymmetrical at their base, scalloped, and sometimes coarsely toothed. In addition, the leaves contain 5-7 straight, parallel, ascending veins per side. The twigs are slender, zigzagged, tawny, and smooth when mature. Witch Hazel fruiting bodies are short, thick, light brown capsules that become woody upon maturation. This species is typically multi-stemmed with two or more trunks, which are crooked and 10-15 cm in diameter.
	Labrador Tea Height: 1 m Labrador Tea is a hardy, small evergreen shrub which can grow up to 1 m and can be found in every province and territory of Canada. This slow growing plant produces woolly branches with alternately arranged leaves. The leaves are recognizable by their deep green colour, wrinkly curved tops, smooth edges, and hairy, rust coloured underside. The Labrador Tea produces fragrant and showy white flowers, which grow in a large flattened cluster at the terminal ends of the branches. This shrub attracts pollinator species, such as bees and butterflies, but is slightly poisonous to mammals. Labrador Tea was collected by indigenous people to brew a tea, which is rich in vitamin C.
	Ninebark Height: 2-3m The Common Ninebark is a very hardy, large (2-3m in height), deciduous shrub naturally occurring within riparian zones. This species is often planted as an ornamental shrub for its exfoliating bark which reveals reddish-light brown inner bark. This shrub is multi-stemmed with numerous horizontal and ascending branches creating a full, round shape. The Common Ninebark produces dull green, ovate to round shaped leaves with three to five lobes per leaf. During the fall the leaves turn brilliant yellow or dark purple. Between May and June, showy, bell-shaped flowers bloom in clusters on the terminal ends of the branches. During the summer, these flowers give way to small green or green-yellow berries which turn a bright red upon ripening.
	Black Cherry Height: 20-30m The Black Cherry is a medium-sized deciduous tree typically 20-30m in height and can tolerate a wide variety of light, soil and moisture conditions. This species is native to North America. The Black Cherry is commonly found in mixed, broad-leafed forests. This cherry species produces a slender trunk and a narrow, irregular crown with arching branches and drooping tips. Leaves are simple and grow alternately along the branch. Small, white flower clusters appear in May and turn to reddish cherries during early summer and ripen by late August. These cherries provide a food source for songbirds and small mammals. Black Cherry Roots are shallow and wide-spreading.
	Ostrich Fern Height: 1.5 m The Ostrich Fern is a coarse, erect to arching perennial fern, that can grow up to 1.5 m in height. The stems are clustered and arching while the leaves are ostrich-plume shaped, widest near top, and very gradually narrowed to the base. The size of the leaves grow up to 1.5 m long and 12-40 cm wide, with around 40 pairs of leaflets or pinnae. The leaflets are long, narrow-pointed, and ascending. The leaves are fertile, with spore clusters on the undersides of sub-leaflets.
	Sensitive Fern Height: 1 m Sensitive Fern is a perennial fern species that typically grows less than 1 m in height. The leaves of this fern are light green, narrow, spaced out, have descending lower leaflets, and ascending upper leaflets. Erect, spore-bearing fronds appear out of the center of the leaves in the early spring and turn brown in the late summer. The fronds of this fern have a woody, segmented bead appearance.
	Winterberry Holly Height: 3 m Winterberry is a deciduous shrub species that typically grows about 3 m in height. The leaves are dark green coloured, alternately arranged, and have toothed margins. The flowers are small, greenish white coloured, not showy, and bloom between June and July. The fruits are attractive, bright red berries, which are not edible, only grow on female plants nearby male plants, and persist throughout the winter, hence the name. This plant spreads well and can form small colonies. The roots can useful for controlling erosion and stabilizing shorelines. The berries are highly beneficial to wildlife species, like birds and small mammals, throughout the winter.
	Bush Honeysuckle Height: 1m The Bush Honeysuckle is a small, hardy, deciduous shrub that rarely grows taller than 1 m in height. The leaves are simple, oppositely arranged, ovate shaped, and have finely toothed margins. During the spring and summer, the leaves are dark green in colour, then in the fall they take on a variety of colours ranging from a deep purple to light yellow. The flowers are small, showy, yellow to orange colored, trumpet shaped, appear in clusters on the tips of branches, and bloom between June and July. The flowers are beneficial to pollinator species, including hummingbirds and butterflies. The roots of the Bush Honeysuckle are fibrous, giving it the ability to form thickets and making it an ideal shrub to plant for erosion control.
	Gray Dogwood Height: 2-3m The Gray Dogwood, also referred to as Northern Swamp Dogwood or Panicle Dogwood, is a medium-sized, deciduous shrub which typically grows 2-3m. This species is multi-stemmed, with a full, round form. The leaves are green and arranged alternately along the branches. During the fall, leaves turn a bright red to deep purple colour. Between May and June, showy clusters of small white flowers bloom. These flowers turn into white fleshy berries late in the summer. The reddish-pink stems hold the berries throughout the winter, creating an artful contrast to the gray bark and snowy scenery. The Gray Dogwood is tolerant of a variety of environmental conditions and its complex, fibrous root system make it an ideal plant to use for controlling erosion.
	Kalm St. Johns Wort Height: 1 m Kalm St. Johns Wort is a short, evergreen shrub species that typically grows less than 1 m in height. Older bark is reddish brown and appears shedding. The leaves are bluish green colored, narrow and linear shaped, appear in oppositely arranged pairs, and have entire margins. The flowers are showy, golden yellow colored, have five petals, numerous stamens, appear on upper branching stems, and bloom between July and August. These flowers produce small brown oval seed capsules. The flowers are beneficial for pollinator species, like bees and butterflies. These shrubs are visually attractive and used for making low hedges.
	Canadian Serviceberry Height: 3-5 m The Canadian Serviceberry is a multi-stemmed shrub or small tree which grows from 3-5 m in a dense round form. This plant may also be known by the common names: Juneberry, Shadblow, or Shadbush. Early in the spring, prior to leaf development, clusters of fragrant, showy white flowers bloom along the branches. By July, these flowers give way to the fruiting bodies. The fruits are initially small, green berries, which grow to the size of blueberries and turn a deep purple-blue upon maturation during the fall. Leaves produced are finely toothed and spear-shaped. Throughout the summer, leaves are dark green and turn a dramatic orange-red during the fall.
	Tamarack Height: 20 m Tamarack is a small to medium sized, deciduous coniferous tree species that grows up to 20 m tall. This plant may also be known by the common name American Larch. The bark is scaly and reddish brown coloured. The needles are delicate, 2-4 cm long, blueish-green coloured, grow in clusters of 15 to 25, and change golden yellow in the fall. This tree provides food and habitat for wildlife species, including birds and mammals. Tamarack is a fast-growing, long lived species that can live up to 150 years and is found across all of Canada. The wood from this tree is decay-resistant and has been used to make railway ties, posts, and crates. Tamarack is considered unique because it is the only conifer species to drop its needles in the fall.
	White Birch Height: 15-25m The Paper Birch is a medium-sized (15-25m), deciduous tree which may also be referred to as White Birch or Canoe Birch. This species produces a sparse, irregular crown which arises from a slender trunk. This tree is best known for distinctive white, horizontally flaking bark, from which its name is derived. The Paper Birch produces light green, egg-shaped, 5-10 cm long leaves alternately arranged. During the fall, the light green foliage turns a bright yellow colour. During the spring, catkins appear and produce winged seed keys which mature and drop between the fall and following spring.
	Hobblebush Height: 3 m Hobblebush is a shrub species that typically grows about 3 m in height. The leaves are large, oppositely arranged, medium green coloured, ovate shaped with cordate bases, have prominent veins giving a wrinkly appearance, have finely serrated margins. The flowers are showy, white coloured, fragrant, appear in flat-topped clusters, and bloom between May and June. This plant has distinctively different inner fertile flowers and outer sterile flowers. The fruit are small, edible, oval shaped berries that change from pale green to red to purplish black coloured when ripe. This shrub produces attractive fall colours changing from bronze red to purple. The flowers are beneficial to pollinator species, like bees and butterflies. The fruits are also beneficial to wildlife species, like birds and small mammals. The branches may bend and take root in the ground, which can trip or hobble people passing by, hence the common name. This plant is easy to grow and easy to transplant.
	Mountain Maple Height: 3-5m The Mountain Maple is a mid-sized shrub and the smallest Maple species, ranging from 3-5 m tall. The leaves are a triangular shape with 3-5 lobes each and range from 6-12 cm long and wide in size. The upper side of the leaf is a yellowish green with a pubescent white underside. The leaves also have coarsely and irregularly toothed margins and the leaf petioles are red in colour. The flowers are small, pale yellow to green in colour, and form in dense upright clusters. Both male and female flowers may be found within the same cluster. Vibrant red fruit grows with wings that are about 2-3 cm long. This shrub is very important for riparian edges as it is great for preventing erosion on stream banks and steep slopes using its dense layered root system.
	Eastern Hemlock Height: 30m The Eastern Hemlock, or Canadian Hemlock, is a medium-large sized conifer tree reaching 30m in height, which has a conical shape and a tapered trunk. This species produces slender branches that grow horizontally from the trunk with heavy foliage and a drooping terminal end. The Eastern Hemlock produces flat needles that are two-ranked, with shorter needles on the upper side of the branch. This species produces small, oval-shaped cones approximately 2 cm long, which are initially green in colour and turn brown in the fall. The Eastern Hemlock is known to have the smallest needles and cones of its genus. This species has shallow and wide spreading roots, which make it an ideal tree species to plant for controlling erosion on dry slopes.
	Oak Fern Height: 35 cm The Oak Fern is a small, delicate fern that can grow up to 35 cm in height. It can grow in solitude, or in extensive patches originating from dark underground stems that boast scattered leafstalks. Each fern has 2-3 pinnate fronds which are broadly triangular, 5-18 cm long and 5-25 cm wide. The stalks are very slender, shiny, straw-coloured, and lightly scaled at the bottom. Spore clusters are small, circular dots on veins near edges and are without membranes.
	Christmas Fern Height: 0.5 m The Christmas Fern is a hardy evergreen fern which can withstand a variety of environmental conditions. It is one of the most common ferns within North America. This species produces robust, leathery, lace-like leaves which grow in a fountain like clump and persist throughout the winter. Silvery and scaled fiddleheads emerge early in the spring. This fern rarely exceeds heights of half a meter and is a popular fern species to utilize in landscaping due to its year-round colour. This fern is often planted for restoration applications due to its ability to conserve soil and control erosion.

Compartment A

Naturalization Area

• pH: acidic
• Depth: potted
• Moisture: normal
• Soil Type: sandy, loamy
• Light conditions: full sun

Narrow Leaved Meadowsweet

8

Sweet Gale

2

Silky Dogwood

1

Black Chokeberry

3

Pussy Willow

1

Red Osier Dogwood

3

Sweet Fern

3

Yellow Birch

1

Compartment B

Naturalization Area

• pH: acidic
• Depth: potted
• Moisture: normal, moist
• Soil Type: sandy, loamy
• Light conditions: full sun, partial sun

Narrow Leaved Meadowsweet

5

Silky Dogwood

1

Black Chokeberry

1

Sweet Fern

3

Yellow Birch

1

Witch Hazel

1

Labrador Tea

5

Ninebark

2

Black Cherry

1

Ostrich Fern

6

Sensitive Fern

3

Compartment C

Naturalization Area

• pH: acidic
• Depth: potted
• Moisture: normal, moist
• Soil Type: sandy, loamy
• Light conditions: partial sun

Narrow Leaved Meadowsweet

6

Black Chokeberry

3

Yellow Birch

1

Ninebark

1

Ostrich Fern

9

Winterberry Holly

5

Bush Honeysuckle

6

Gray Dogwood

2

Kalm St. Johns Wort

9

Canadian Serviceberry

2

Compartment D

Naturalization Area

• pH: acidic
• Depth: potted
• Moisture: normal, moist
• Soil Type: sandy, loamy
• Light conditions: partial sun

Narrow Leaved Meadowsweet

9

Pussy Willow

1

Red Osier Dogwood

3

Witch Hazel

1

Ninebark

3

Sensitive Fern

13

Bush Honeysuckle

6

Tamarack

1

White Birch

1

Compartment E

Naturalization Area

Pine and hemlock canopy

• pH: acidic
• Depth: potted
• Moisture: normal
• Soil Type: sandy, loamy
• Light conditions: shade

Hobblebush

6

Mountain Maple

3

Eastern Hemlock

1

Oak Fern

5

Christmas Fern

6

Schedule B

Financial Summary

Project by: The District Municipality of Muskoka

Shoreline Re-Naturalization Starter Kit includes: free site visit, customized re-naturalization planting plan for your shoreline property, native plants including free bare root (small) and potted (large) plants and wildflowers, coconut fibre pads to deter grass from growing around new plantings, tree guards for all deciduous trees, mulch for your wildflowers, Plant Care Guide with instructions on how to take care of your new plants, Habitat Creation Guide and a Wildflower Garden Guide.

Our planting plans are created onsite with you and provide detailed information and plans to re-naturalize your shoreline property. We take photos of areas for planting and overlay native plants that are well suited to your property based on site conditions such as soil type and sunlight availability.

We will work with you to create a plan that works for you including options for low growing plants in areas where views are important.

Schedule C

Project Agreement

Stewardship Agreement

Please indicate your agreement to this proposed plan by signing the following Stewardship Agreement and submitting it, along with your financial contribution, to:

The District Municipality of Muskoka
70 Pine Street Bracebridge, Ontario P1L 1N3

Plant Availability

Please note that plant species may need to be changed based on plant stock availability at the time of ordering.

Project Completion

Upon receiving your signed stewardship agreement and financial contribution, a date will be booked for you to pick up your Natural Edge Kit. The District Municipality of Muskoka will supply all plants and materials. If you are paying for the planting to be completed for you, a date will be arranged for The District Municipality of Muskoka to plant your shoreline, bringing the plants and materials with them. If there are particular dates that you would prefer, we will do our best to accommodate your requests.

About this program

About The District Municipality of Muskoka

The District of Muskoka is an upper-tier municipality that has monitored water quality in Muskoka area lakes since 1980. Since 2002, the Muskoka Water Strategy has provided integrated and strategic initiatives for the protection of Muskoka's water resources. The purpose of the strategy is to guide and minimize the impact of human activities on water resources; ensure human and environmental health; and preserve the quality of life in Muskoka.

This program was created by Watersheds Canada

We believe that every person has the right to access clean and healthy lakes and rivers in Canada. At Watersheds Canada, we work to keep these precious places naturally clean and healthy for people and wildlife to continue using for years to come. We love working with others to meet the needs of local communities, whether you’re a concerned citizen, a landowner, a lake association looking for help, or a coalition of groups interested in activating your local community.