the slopes. Minor slumping can be controlled by properly constructed terr- 

 aces or retaining walls. The slumping is often severe enough that some type 

 of drainage system is needed to remove the excess subsurface water. A comb- 

 ination of terracesAretaining walls and drainage systems would appear to be 

 the best solution for the more seriously eroded upper slopes. As noted 

 previously, a consulting engineer and/or landscape contractor should examine 

 the situation on any given property to ascertain what solutions are best for 

 that particular situation. In any case, the planting of new trees, shrubs, 

 or herbs is done only after the CAUSE of the erosion has been ascertained 

 and corrected, l^en a property owner discovers an area barren of vegetation 

 in his part of a ravine, there is often the temptation to immediately plant 

 something in that area. However, to repeat, the CAUSE of this bare area 

 should be determined, the cause rectified, and only then should a revegeta- 

 tion program begin. 



Before planting, it is suggested that a soil analysis be made to 

 determine the acidity or alkalinity of the soil where planting is to be done. 

 A soil sample can be sent to a local garden center or testing laboratory, 

 or inexpensive kits are available at garden centers to make this analysis at 

 home. Soil charts for the area indicate that the uppermost few feet of soil 

 is acidic while the remainder of the soils are neutral or slightly alkaline. 

 This affects the kinds of plants that can be grown in the soil. 



Due to the steepness of the slopes in the ravines, it is seldom 

 practical to do much soil preparation prior to planting. Generally speaking, 

 it is recommended that topsoil NOT be hauled into the ravines. For purposes 

 of erosion control, it is desirable to have the roots of plants grow into 

 the potentially unstable soils found on the slopes. When a layer of topsoil 

 is added over the original soil, the roots tend to grow primarily in the to- 

 soil and not penetrate the lower layers. 



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