What Are Pre-Vegetated Coir Logs?

Eco-friendly and renewable coir is gaining popularity in many different ways. Coir is easily made into mats and logs for use along shorelines and in other places to keep river banks from eroding. Coir logs come either vegetated or pre vegetated, and which one you should choose depends on why you need them. 

What Are Coir Logs

Coir logs are rolls of coconut coir pith packed in tubular netting. They come in a wide variety of sizes, and since they are entirely biodegradable and contain no chemicals, they are safe for any wildlife in the area. Coir logs are easy to use and easy to place where you need them, and once placed, they create a natural control area to help reduce erosion. These logs are available as either vegetated or pre vegetated, but what is the difference? 

Vegetated Coir Logs

Vegetated coir logs are just the coir rolls. These are often placed at the base of slopes and along shorelines to keep dry slopes from eroding. These types of logs allow the native plants and species to establish their own root system. The logs will biodegrade over several years as the native shoreline develops. 

What Are Pre Vegetated Coir Logs?

Pre vegetated coir logs are coir logs with specific plant species already integrated into them. These come with an established root system in the coir base, so they quickly root in the ground. Pre vegetated logs are more tolerant of challenging conditions since they root faster than vegetated coir logs, and they provide immediate erosion control. You can use pre vegetated coir logs to cover exposed roots to keep them from getting trampled. Over time, the coir will degrade the native plants establish long-term erosion control.

Why Use Pre Vegetated Coir Logs

Coir logs that already have the native species planted in them will quickly start trapping sediment and soils and keep them from running into the water. These types of logs are also effective in areas where it is difficult to establish the right slope. They will create a defined bank along a stream and then they can be backfilled to create a larger area for planting.

Pre-vegetated coir logs are a cost-effective way to establish vegetation around lakes and along river banks, and since they are organic and biodegradable, they are an excellent alternative to other forms of erosion control such as boulders and rocks.

How to Use Pre Vegetated Coir Logs

Installing pre vegetated coir logs is fairly simple and straightforward. If needed, grade the shoreline or slope where you need to control erosion and then place the coir logs along the toe of the hill. For more stability, tie the logs together using coir twine. On the water side, you can use wooden stakes to stabilize the logs or live stakes such as slough sedge. 

Both vegetated and pre-vegetated coir logs are easy to work with and help prevent erosion in many different settings. Since the pre vegetated logs already have an established root system, they will start working as soon as you place them.