The Power of Plants: Turn shoreland preservation into an art form

This is the second in a series of articles about how landowners can harness “The Power of Plants” to maintain shorefront property within the rules set to protect these environmentally sensitive areas. The Harpswell Conservation Commission is organizing the series, with articles by local experts. The author of this article, Amber Stuart, co-owns Ben Stuart Arborist LLC.

Everyone who owns waterfront property wants a view of the ocean. We do a lot of work for clients with waterfront property and often hear the same thing: “We want to know how much we are allowed to take out to open up as much view as we can get.” Often this means the goal is an unobstructed view from every angle. The shoreland zoning laws set in place by the state, and by the town for the 75-foot buffer strip, often make this an unrealistic expectation. As restrictive as they are, these laws are here for good reason.

A good canopy breaks up rainfall into smaller droplets, making the rain less erosive to the ground below. Shrubs further dampen the impact of raindrops on soil, while small plants, with their finer root systems, work alongside trees and shrubs to hold the soil together.

Your buffer strip doesn’t have to be this wild, unsightly ball of vines, unruly shrubs and densely packed saplings. Your buffer strip can follow regulations and still be an expression of your style in the form of a curated selection of native plants, shrubs and trees of varying sizes and ages.

A variety of ages, sizes and species of trees makes for an ever-changing view that is never stale. One summer you may have a beautiful view of a cove by your bedroom window, and in a couple years, as trees grow taller, a breathtaking view of the sunrise over the ocean will be more visible from your kitchen. The reward of an evolving view is like having a digital picture frame that always has new photos to display and never needs batteries.

Coastal residents know all too well the damage blowdowns and storms can cause. Large root systems take massive sections of bank with them, and a tree falling on your house is everyone’s worst nightmare. This is where windsail reduction comes into play. Selective thinning in the canopy of potentially hazardous trees can help them hold up better in storms, protect your home and property, and allow in more light to maintain the health of plants below. This preserves the tree and its benefit to the shoreline, often creating a byproduct of a window view of the ocean, framed by natural vegetation.

In our home, we typically display paintings or photos in a decorative frame. Think of your trees, shrubs and low-lying plants in your duff layer as a frame to the picturesque view of the Harpswell coast. We teach our kids that you appreciate something more when you work hard for it. We should treat our property the same way, and that includes our shoreland zone.

Call a local licensed arborist and/or landscape designer for a consultation. Share your vision and any concerns you have about risks to your property. Together, you can come up with a plan to bring your vision to life.