Dune plants & Reconstruction - Ask Extension
I have recently bought property on a dune along Lake Michigan. There was some loss of land at the top of the dune due to high water in 2019 and 2020....
Knowledgebase
Dune plants & Reconstruction #874941
Asked June 27, 2024, 11:10 AM EDT
I have recently bought property on a dune along Lake Michigan. There was some loss of land at the top of the dune due to high water in 2019 and 2020. Some sections of the dune are very vertical and there is some undercutting at the top. Can you recommend any plants that would not be considered invasive that would help to preserve or actually build back what was lost? The previous owner has planted substantial amounts of dune grass. Are there any bushes that you could recommend?
Muskegon County Michigan
Expert Response
Peggy,
open sand dunes are difficult to re-colonize after they are eroded. look to some colonizing grasses and vines for the slopes. then some shrubs shoot for the native plants as they are best suited for your location.
Here is a website with a list of common plants found along Michigan dunes. https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/communities/description/10699/Open%20Dunes/
Here is a nice booklet all about dunes. Understanding them will help you to make decisions when managing your property. https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/pdfs/borneofthewind.pdf
open sand dunes are difficult to re-colonize after they are eroded. look to some colonizing grasses and vines for the slopes. then some shrubs shoot for the native plants as they are best suited for your location.
Here is a website with a list of common plants found along Michigan dunes. https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/communities/description/10699/Open%20Dunes/
Here is a nice booklet all about dunes. Understanding them will help you to make decisions when managing your property. https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/pdfs/borneofthewind.pdf
