Stewardship of the Land

Stewardship of the Blue Ridge Mountains

The natural beauty of our mountains is a large part what attracts so many to this area. The Blue Ridge Mountains support a wide variety of plants and animals, many unique to the southern Appalachians. By gaining an understanding of the complexities of your property's terrain and it's natural resources, you can help promote the existing character of this area by preserving the natural character of your own homesite. prior to any land clearing activities, identify and protect features such as springs, streams, bogs, rock outcrops, as well as existing vegetation, such as large trees and rare wildflower areas. Work with your contractor to develop a site plan that enhances (rather than eliminates) these unique features.

A well landscaped homesite will not only be attractive, but will also be protected from soil erosion and will prevent situation of nearby streams. It is important to establish vegetation on barren land as soon as possible. Deciduous trees will shade the house in the summer and let the sun in during the winter.

Trees and shrubs can also serve as windbreaks. the local Natural Resource Conservation Service office or North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service office can provide valuable technical assistance concerning plants, fertilizer, lime, mulches, and the best time and techniques for establishing vegetation on your property.

A large area of cut and fill will require extensive landscaping, some of which will take years to establish. too often, too little thought is given to preserving the natural vegetation around the house site. native trees and shrubs possess inherent qualities and adaptive traits that make them aesthetically pleasing, practical, and ecologically valuable.

Brochures listing western North Carolina native plants for landscaping and exotic pest plants are available on WNCT's web pagewww.wnct.org or by calling the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 828-258-3939.

You can also help minimize the impact of loss of wildlife habitat by retaining and re-establishing beneficial native vegetation. Encourage your landscaper to retain as much of your lot in its natural state as possible. Excessive clearing of underbrush eliminates essential wildlife habitat and threatens many rare wildflower species native to the Blue Ridge mountains. Avoid the use of invasive exotic plants that may spread into adjacent woodlands and natural areas. Contact the local Cooperative Extension office for information and or brochures on tree protection, landscaping for wildlife, and avoiding exotic pest plants.