Abstract:
A fiber block planting segment suitable for controlling erosion and stabilizing soil is described that comprises an elongated fiber block formed of a densely packed elongated thick fibrous material having at least one channel formed therein for receiving a plant to be planted in the soil. The fiber block is enclosed in a sleeve or wrap of fiber mesh. The fiber block and mesh can be made of coir fibers.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/966,493, entitled “Effective Method To Plant Live Plants On Stream Bank Restoration Sites” filed Feb. 24, 2014 and which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein to provide continuity of disclosure. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Urban development has led to construction of an ever increasing number of impervious solid surfaces, such as parking lots and paved roads among other man-made structures, that impede the natural watershed&#39;s ability to absorb and filter rainwater carrying silt from soil erosion and other pollutants before it runs off into streams and other waterways. This unfiltered runoff harms the environment by increasing pollution levels in the waterways within the watershed. The increased runoff also increases the danger of flash flooding and flows through the watershed at increased velocities. The faster the runoff flows through existing waterways and the higher the volume of the runoff, the more the runoff erodes the banks of the waterways and the more the runoff harms the ecosystem of the watershed. Additionally, severe washouts along the banks of the eroded waterway may damage property located near the banks. Consequently, there is a need for a system that provides for remediation or protection of shorelines and banks. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    The present disclosure encompasses a fiber block planting system for stabilizing a shoreline or waterway bank comprising a fiber block planting segment that comprises an elongated fiber block comprising a top surface, a front surface, a rear surface, a bottom surface, a male end and a female end, wherein the elongated fiber block further comprises a plurality of channels formed therein, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels extends through the elongated fiber block and is open to at least two separate surfaces selected from the top surface, the front surface, the rear surface, and the bottom surface. The fiber block planting segment also comprises a sleeve of fiber mesh encasing at least a portion of the elongated fiber block. The fiber block planting segment of the system further comprises an anchor flap extending from the sleeve. The system also can comprise a plant disposed in at least one of the plurality of channels, with a top portion of the plant extending from one surface of the fiber block and a bottom portion of the plant extending form another surface of the fiber block. The system further comprises a channel plug removably disposed in at least one channel of the plurality of channels, wherein the channel plug can comprise a natural fiber, such as coir, which can be the fiber from which the fiber block is formed. 
         [0004]    The fiber block planting system further can comprise a second fiber block planting segment, wherein the second fiber block planting segment comprises a second elongated fiber block comprising a second top surface, a second front surface, a second rear surface, and a second bottom surface, a second male end and a second female end, wherein the second elongated fiber block further comprises a second plurality of channels formed therein, wherein each channel of the second plurality of channels extends through the second elongated fiber block and is open to two separate surfaces selected from the second top surface, the second front surface, the second rear surface, and the second bottom surface; and, a second sleeve of fiber mesh encasing at least a portion of the second elongated fiber block, wherein the male end of the fiber block planting segment is joined to the second female end of the second fiber block planting segment. This system further can comprise a plant disposed in at least one channel of at least one of the first and the second plurality of channels. In another aspect, at least one channel of the plurality of channels can open to both the top surface and the bottom surface of the elongated fiber block. In yet another aspect, at least one channel of the plurality of channels can open to both the front surface and the rear surface of the elongated fiber block. In still a further aspect, a first channel of the plurality of channels can open to both the front surface and the rear surface of the elongated fiber block and a second channel of the plurality channels can open to both the top surface and the bottom surface of the elongated fiber block. In another aspect, the first channel can be aligned perpendicular to the second channel. In still another aspect, the first channel can be aligned perpendicular to the top surface of the fiber block. In this configuration of the system, the second channel also can be aligned perpendicular to the front surface of the fiber block. 
         [0005]    The present disclosure also encompasses a fiber block planting system for stabilizing a shoreline or waterway bank comprising a fiber block planting segment comprising an elongated fiber block comprising a top surface, a front surface, a rear surface, a bottom surface, a male end and a female end, wherein the elongated fiber block further comprises a plurality of channels formed therein, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels extends through the elongated fiber block and is open to at least two separate surfaces selected from the top surface, the front surface, the rear surface, and the bottom surface. The fiber block planting segment also comprises a plurality of fiber channel plugs, wherein each channel plug of the plurality of channel plugs is removably disposed within one channel of the plurality of channels; and a sleeve of fiber mesh encasing at least a portion of the elongated fiber block, wherein at least one end of the sleeve is open. In this system, the fiber block and the plurality of fiber channel plugs can comprise coir fiber. The system also can comprise a second fiber block planting segment, wherein the second elongated fiber block planting segment comprises a second elongated fiber block comprising a second top surface, a second front surface, a second rear surface, and a second bottom surface, a second male end and a second female end, wherein the second elongated fiber block further comprises a second plurality of channels formed therein, wherein each channel of the second plurality of channels extends through the second elongated fiber block and is open to two separate surfaces selected from the second top surface, the second front surface, the second rear surface, and the second bottom surface. The second fiber block planting system also comprises a second sleeve of fiber mesh encasing at least a portion of the second elongated fiber block, and wherein the male end of the fiber block is aligned adjacent the second female end of the second fiber block planting segment and the second sleeve encases a portion of the male end of the fiber block. The system also can comprise a plant disposed in at least one channel of the second plurality of channels. In one aspect, at least one channel of the plurality of channels can open to both the top surface and the bottom surface of the elongated fiber block. In another aspect, at least one channel of the plurality of channels can open to both the front surface and the rear surface of the elongated fiber block. In yet another aspect, a first channel of the plurality of channels can open to both the front surface and the rear surface of the elongated fiber block and a second channel of the plurality channels can open to both the top surface and the bottom surface of the elongated fiber block. In still a further aspect, the first channel can be aligned perpendicular to the second channel. In yet another aspect, the first channel can be aligned perpendicular to the top surface of the fiber block. In another aspect, the second channel can be aligned perpendicular to the front surface of the fiber block. 
         [0006]    The present disclosure also encompasses a method of stabilizing a shoreline or waterway bank, comprising the step of positioning a first fiber block planting segment adjacent a shoreline or a waterway bank, the first fiber block planting segment comprising an elongated first fiber block defining a first top surface, a first bottom surface, a first front surface, a first rear surface, a first male end portion, and a first female end portion disposed opposite the first male end portion, wherein the fiber block further comprises a first plurality of channels formed therein, wherein each channel of the first plurality of channels extends between and opens at two surfaces of the first top surface, the first bottom surface, the first front surface and the first rear surface, a first plurality of channel plugs, wherein each channel plug of the first plurality of channel plugs is removably disposed in one channel of the first plurality of channels, a first mesh sleeve encasing at least a portion of the first fiber block. The method also comprises the step of positioning a second fiber block planting segments adjacent the shoreline or waterway bank, the second fiber block planting segment comprising an elongated second fiber block defining a second top surface, a second bottom surface, a second front surface, a second rear surface, a second male end portion, and a second female end portion disposed opposite the second male end portion, wherein the second fiber block comprises a second plurality of channels formed therein, wherein each channel of the second plurality of channels extends between and opens at two surfaces of the second top surface, the second bottom surface, the second front surface and the second rear surface, a second plurality of channel plugs, wherein each channel plug of the second plurality of channel plugs is removably disposed in one channel of the second plurality of channels, a second mesh sleeve encasing at least a portion of the second fiber block. The method further comprises the step of mating the second male end portion of the second fiber block to the first female end portion of the first fiber block, and the step of removing at least one channel plug of the first plurality and the second plurality of channel plugs from at least one channel of the first plurality and the second plurality of channels; and the step of inserting a plant into the channel from which the channel plug was removed. The method also can comprise the step of anchoring both the first and the second fiber block plant segments to the shoreline or waterway bank. 
         [0007]    These and other aspects of the present disclosure are set forth in greater detail below and in the drawings for which a brief description is provided as follows. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a fiber block planting segment encompassing aspects of the present disclosure. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the fiber block planting segment of  FIG. 1  with the channel plugs partially removed from the channels. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the fiber block planting segment shown in  FIG. 1  with the channel plugs completely removed and the channels shown in phantom line. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the fiber block planting segment shown in  FIG. 1  with cuttings of live plants inserted into the channels of the fiber block. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a perspective of the fiber block planting segment shown in  FIG. 1  connected to another fiber block planting segment to form a fiber block planting system. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another fiber block planting segment encompassing aspects of the present disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the fiber block planting segment of  FIG. 6  with the channel plugs partially removed from the channels formed in the fiber block. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the fiber block planting segment shown in  FIG. 6  with the channel plugs completely removed and the channels shown in phantom line. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the fiber block planting segment shown in  FIG. 6  with cuttings of live plants inserted into the channels. 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of yet another fiber block planting segment encompassing aspects of the present disclosure. 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the fiber block planting segment of  FIG. 10  with the channel plugs partially removed from the channels. 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the fiber block planting segment shown in  FIG. 10  with the channel plugs completely removed and the channels shown partially in phantom line. 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the fiber block planting segment shown in  FIG. 10  with cuttings of live plants inserted into the channels. 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of still a further fiber block planting segment encompassing aspects of the present disclosure. 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the fiber block planting segment of  FIG. 14  with the channel plugs partially removed from the channels. 
           [0023]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the fiber block planting segment shown in  FIG. 14  with the channel plugs completely removed and the channels shown in phantom line. 
           [0024]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the fiber block planting segment shown in  FIG. 14  with cuttings of live plants inserted into the channels. 
           [0025]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the fiber block planting segment shown in  FIG. 14  connected to another fiber block planting segment in a fiber block planting system. 
           [0026]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of still another fiber block planting segment encompassing aspects of the present disclosure. 
           [0027]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the fiber block planting segment of  FIG. 19  with the channel plugs partially removed from the channels. 
           [0028]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the fiber block planting segment shown in  FIG. 19  with the channel plugs completely removed and the channels shown in phantom line. 
           [0029]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the fiber block planting segment shown in  FIG. 19  with cuttings of live plants inserted into the channels. 
           [0030]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view of a further fiber block planting segment encompassing aspects of the present disclosure. 
           [0031]      FIG. 24  is a perspective view of the fiber block planting segment of  FIG. 23  with the channel plugs partially removed from the channels. 
           [0032]      FIG. 25  is a perspective view of the fiber block planting segment shown in  FIG. 23  with the channel plugs completely removed from the channels. 
           [0033]      FIG. 26  is a perspective view of the fiber block planting segment shown in  FIG. 23  with cuttings of live plants inserted into the channels. 
           [0034]      FIG. 27  is a perspective view of yet another fiber block planting segment encompassing aspects of the present disclosure. 
           [0035]      FIG. 28  is a side elevation view of the fiber block planting segment shown  FIG. 27 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 29  is a cross-sectional view of the fiber block planting segment shown in  FIG. 27  taken along line  29 - 29  shown in  FIG. 28 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 30  is a cross-sectional view of a fiber block planting system installation in a waterway bank including fiber block planting segments shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 31  is a cross-sectional view of another fiber block planting system installation in a waterway bank with fiber block planting segments encompassing aspects of the present disclosure. 
           [0039]      FIG. 32  is a cross-sectional view of yet another fiber block planting system installation in a waterway bank with fiber block planting segments encompassing aspects of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0040]    The present disclosure encompasses fiber block planting systems and segments therefor for lining lake or ocean shorelines or the banks of streams or rivers to control erosion of the soil near the water&#39;s edge and to promote growth of environmentally friendly vegetation near the waterline and to provide a base in which plants can be planted along the respective shoreline or bank. The present disclosure refers in detail below to various embodiments of fiber block planting segments and systems, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The fiber block planting segments described herein can be used as components of a fiber block planting system to stabilize a shoreline or waterway bank by providing support for and preventing erosion of the soil behind the fiber block planting system and a base for planting plants along the bank or shoreline. Wherever possible, the application uses the same reference numbers throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar items. 
         [0041]    The fiber block planting systems encompassed by the present disclosure can be made of natural materials that are ecologically friendly and that can aid in the protection the shoreline or waterway bank against erosion. The fiber block planting systems can promote growth of vegetation along the shoreline or waterway bank, and can be anchored in place with few, if any, separate anchoring structures. Because the fiber block planting system is made of natural materials and can aid in controlling erosion, it can be installed adjacent to water to protect as much of the shoreline or waterway bank from erosion as is desired. The natural materials of which the fiber block planting system is made can also support vegetation growth in the fiber block planting system itself. Thus, vegetation can be implanted in the fiber block planting system itself in a manner that protects the vegetation from forces of erosion and accelerates its growth along the shoreline or waterway. The fiber block planting system can be made of interlocking fiber block planting segments that connect without the need for specialized tools or connecting hardware. The fiber block planting system can aid in the protection of bare soil adjacent the system from erosion. Among the natural material that can be used in forming the blocks, plugs and meshes of the fiber block planting systems, coconut or coir fiber can be used to form all of these components and provide the desired characteristics of the systems. 
         [0042]      FIGS. 1-5  illustrate a first embodiment of a fiber block planting segment  110  of the fiber block planting system of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the fiber block planting segment  110  includes a compressed coir fiber block  112  encased in a sleeve  113  of a high strength coir mesh  114 . The fiber block planting segment  110  includes a male end  118  and a female end  120 . At the female end  120  of the fiber block planting segment  110 , the coir fiber block  112  does not extend all the way to the end of the sleeve  113  of coir mesh  114 . The coir mesh  114  can be made of coir fibers, other biodegradable fibers, or synthetic fibers, or the twine can be made with biodegradable fibers wrapped around a synthetic core. The coir fabric block  112  is generally rectangular in cross-section and is elongated horizontally. The coir fabric block  112  includes a top surface  124 , a bottom surface opposite the top surface  124 , a front surface  136  and a rear surface opposite the front surface  136 . When installed along a stream bank or shoreline, the front surface  136  can be aligned facing outward toward the water, while the opposing rear surface is aligned toward the bank or shoreline. 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the fiber block  112  also includes a plurality of channel plugs  122  inserted into a plurality of channels formed in the block  112 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , each channel  116  includes a channel plug  122  that is removably disposed therein. The channel plugs  122  are formed of the same coir fiber from which the coir fiber block  112  is formed. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the channel plugs  122  can be inserted in the coir fiber block  112  so that the top of each channel plug  122  is aligned flush with the top surface  124  of the coir fiber block  112 . The channel plugs  122  can exhibit the same color as the coir fiber block  112 , or, alternatively, be shaded on the tops or along the lengths thereof a different color to highlight the relative positions along the coir fiber block  112 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the channel plugs  122  are generally cylindrical to match the shape of the channels  116 . The present disclosure encompasses fiber block planting segments that include channels and channel plugs of various configurations in additions to cylindrical arrangements, such as rectangular or other convenient configurations. 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , each of the plurality of channels  116  are cylindrical and extend vertically completely through the coir fiber block  112  along a mid-line thereof. Each of the plurality of channels  116  open to the top surface  124  and the bottom surface which is opposed to the top surface, thereby allowing each of the channels  116  to be open to the exterior of the coir fiber block  112  in two separate places along the block  112 . The channels  116  shown in fiber block  112  are aligned parallel along the mid-line of the block  112  and equidistant to each other. 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , a cutting of a live plant  126  can be inserted into each of the channels  116  formed in the coir fiber block  112 . Since each of the channels  116  extend all the way through the fiber block  112 , each of the plants  126  can be inserted so that one end thereof protrudes from the top surface of the block  112  and the other end of the cutting protrudes from the bottom surface of the fiber block  112 . In this alignment with the ends of the plants  126  extending out of the channels  116  formed in the fiber block  112 , the plants  126  can be inserted sufficiently deep into the soil of a stream bank or shoreline to provide an alignment whereby the cutting can take root and grow and can extend out of the block sufficiently far enough into the atmosphere to take in the light and carbon dioxide needed for growth and development. In an alternative configuration, one or more of the channels  116  can be left without a plant  126  disposed therein when the fiber block planting segment  110  is installed in a fiber block planting system on a bank or shoreline, in which case the channel plugs  122  can be left disposed in the channels  116  that are not used to retain a plant  126  in the fiber block planting system. 
         [0046]      FIG. 5  shows the fiber block planting segment  110   a  joined to a second fiber block planting segment  110   b  in a fiber block planting system  140 . The channel plugs  122  disposed in each of the channels  116  are shown partially removed. The female end  120  of the fiber block planting segment  110   a  on the left receives the male end  118  of the fiber block planting segment  110   b  on the right to form a joint  142 . The sleeve  113  of the fiber block planting segment  110  is pulled over the end of the fiber block  112  of the second fiber block planting segment  110   b . In this manner, two or more fiber block planting system segments can be joined together in a fiber block planting system  140  that is installed along a stream or river bank or a lake or ocean shoreline. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 6-9  illustrate another embodiment of a fiber block planting segment  210  in which a plurality of channels  216  are aligned horizontally in the fiber block  212 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , a channel plug  222  is disposed in each of the plurality of channels. The head of each channel plug  222  is aligned flush with the front surface  236  of the fiber block  212 . The fiber block planting segment  210  includes the fiber block  212  in which the channel plugs  222  are horizontally disposed. Encasing the fiber block  212  is a sleeve  213  of coir mesh  214 . The fiber block  212  and the sleeve  213  combine to form a male end  218  and a female end  220  of the fiber block planting segment  210 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the channel plugs  222 , formed of the same coir fiber as the fiber block  212 , are shaped as cylinders to fit snugly in the horizontal cylindrical channels  216 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the horizontally aligned channels  216  are positioned along a mid-line of the fiber block  212  and extend completely through the fiber block  212  from the front surface  236  to the rear face so that each channel  216  opens to the exterior of the fiber block  212  in two separate locations, at the front surface  236  and the rear face. The channels  216  are aligned generally parallel to the top surface  224  of the fiber block  212 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , a cutting of a live plant  126  can be inserted into one or more of the channels  216  with a first portion of each plant  126  extending horizontally from one face of the fiber block  212  and a second portion of each cutting extending horizontally from an opposed face of the fiber block  212 . In this configuration, the fiber block planting segment  210  can be used in a fiber block planting system installed on a stream bank or shoreline to plant a cutting horizontally into the bank or shoreline. Alternatively, the fiber block planting segment  210  can be installed at a sloping angle whereby the root forming end of any cutting disposed in the channels  216  are planted angled sloping downward into the bank or shoreline on which the fiber block planting segments  210  is installed. 
         [0048]      FIGS. 10-13  illustrate yet another embodiment of a fiber block planting segment  310  that includes both vertically and horizontally aligned channels with channel plugs removably disposed therein. The fiber block planting segment  310  includes a fiber block  312  encased in a sleeve  313  of coir mesh  314 , and has both a male end  318  and female end  320  whereby two or more fiber block planting segments  310  can be joined end to end by inserting the male end  318  of one block segment  310  into the female end  320  of an adjacent block segment  310 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the tops of a plurality of channel plugs  122  that are disposed in vertically aligned channels  116  are disposed flush with the top surface of the  324  of the fiber block  312 , and the tops of a plurality of channel plugs  222  that are disposed in horizontally aligned channels  216  are disposed flush with the front surface  336  of the fiber block  312 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , each of the channel plugs  122  and  222  is removably disposed in the channels  116  and  216 , respectively, and is cylindrical and sized to fill the channels  116  and  216 , respectively. As shown in  FIG. 12 , the vertical channels  116  are alternately aligned with the horizontal channels  216  formed in the fiber block  312 . Each of the vertical channels  116  are aligned parallel to the other vertical channels  116  and perpendicular to each of the horizontal channels  216 . Each of the channels  116  and  216  are disposed equidistant to its adjacent channels. 
         [0049]      FIGS. 14-17  illustrate yet another fiber block planting segment  410  encompassing aspects of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 14 , the fiber block planting segment  410  includes a fiber block  412  made of coir fiber encased in a sleeve  413  of coir mesh  414 . The fiber block planting segment  410  includes a male end  418  and a female end  420  that can be used to joining one fiber block segment  410  to another fiber block segment in a fiber block planting system. From the bottom of the sleeve  413  extends, perpendicular from the rear surface  434  of the fiber block  412 , a bottom anchor flap  423  formed of the same coir mesh  214  as the sleeve  413 . When the fiber block planting segment  410  is installed in a fiber block planting system along a bank or shoreline, the bottom anchor flap  423  can be used to secure the fiber block planting segment  410  in place by inserting one or more stakes there through and/or at least partially covering the bottom anchor flap  423  with dirt or other heavy material to prevent the bottom anchor flap  423  from moving out of position once installed. 
         [0050]    As shown in  FIG. 14 , the fiber block  412  includes a plurality of channel plugs  422  the tops of which are disposed flush with the top surface  424  of the fiber block  412 . Each channel plug  422  is disposed within a channel  416 , as shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 . Each channel plug  422  is cylindrical and sized to fit securely in the respective channel  416 . The channels  416  are spaced apart and disposed along a mid-line of the fiber block  412 . Each of the channels  416  is cylindrical and extend completely through the fiber block  412  and are aligned perpendicular to the top surface  424  of the fiber block and the bottom surface thereof. Each channel  416  is open to the exterior of the fiber block at both the top surface  424  and the bottom surface. As shown in  FIG. 17 , a cutting of a live plant  126  can be inserted into channels  416  with a top portion of the plant  126  extending out of the top surface  424  of the fiber block  412  and a bottom portion of the plant  126  extending out of the bottom surface of the fiber block  412 . In this arrangement, the cuttings of live plants  126  can be planted along a bank or shoreline on which the fiber block planting segment  410  is installed. The fiber block planting segment  410  anchors the cuttings in place on the bank or shoreline, thereby allowing time for the cuttings to take root in the soil. 
         [0051]      FIG. 18  illustrates a fiber block planting segment  410   a  joined to an adjacent fiber block planting segment  410   b  in a fiber block planting system  440 . The male end of the fiber block planting segment  410   b  is inserted into the female end of the adjacent fiber block planting segment  410   a , thereby forming a joint and joining the two fiber block planting segments  410   a  and  410   b  together. The bottom anchor flaps  423  of each fiber block planting segment  410   a  and  410   b  overlap and form a continuous layer that can be used to secure the fiber block planting system  440  in place on a stream bank or shoreline. 
         [0052]      FIGS. 19-22  illustrate still another fiber block planting segment  510  encompassed by the present disclosure. The fiber block planting segment  510  includes a rectangular fiber block  512  formed of coir fiber and encased in a sleeve  513  formed of coir mesh  514 . The fiber block planting segment  510  includes a male end  518  and an female end  520  that can be used to join more than one fiber block planting segment  510  together to form a fiber block planting system. A bottom anchor flap  523  extending from the sleeve  513  is provided to anchor the fiber block planting segment  510  in place when installed. The fiber block  512  includes a plurality of channels  516  extending through the fiber block  512 . Each of the channels  516  are cylindrical and open to the rear face  534  and the front surface of the fiber block  512 . The channels  516  are angled oblique to the rear face  534  and the front surface of the fiber block  512 . In each channel  516  is a removably disposed channel plug  522  made of coir fiber and cylindrically formed. As shown in  FIG. 22 , a cutting of a live plant  126  can be inserted into each of the channels  516  at angle oblique to the top surface  524  of the fiber block  512 . The end of each cutting that is to be planted in the soil along a bank or shore line extends from the rear face  534  of the fiber block  512 . 
         [0053]      FIGS. 23-26  illustrate a further embodiment of a fiber block planting segment  610  that encompasses aspect of the present disclosure. The fiber block planting segment  610  includes a fiber block  612  formed of coir fabric, a sleeve  613  formed of coir mesh  614  encasing the fiber block  612 , and a bottom anchor flap  623  formed of coir mesh  614  extending from the bottom of the sleeve  613 . The fiber block planting segment  610  includes a male end  618  and a female end  620  formed by the sleeve  613  that cooperate between segments so as to be able to join adjacent fiber block planting segments  610  in a fiber block planting system. The fiber block  612  includes a first plurality of channels  416  extending vertically there through and a second plurality of channels  516  extending at there through at an angle oblique to the top surface  624  of the fiber block  612 . Each of the channels  416  and  516  extend completely through the fiber block  612  and are open to the exterior of the block at both ends of each channel. The vertically aligned channels  416  are open to both the top surface  624  and the bottom surface of the fiber block  612 . The channels  516  are open to both the rear surface  634  and the opposing front surface of the fiber block  612 . Along the length of the fiber block  612 , the channels  416  and  516  are alternatively disposed such that the vertically aligned channels  416  are disposed adjacent at least one obliquely aligned channel  516 . Each of the channels  416  and  516  are space equally from the adjacent channels. The vertically aligned channels  416  are aligned obliquely to the channels  516 . 
         [0054]    As shown in  FIGS. 23 and 24 , each channel  416  and  516  include a removably aligned channel plug  622  disposed therein. The channel plugs  622  are formed of the same coir material as the fiber block  612 , are cylindrical and have a length equal to the length of the channel in which they are disposed, so that the top or bottom of the channel plug is aligned flush with the adjacent outer surface of the fiber block  612  when the channel plug  622  is completely set in the respective channel  416  or  516 . The top or bottom of each channel plug  622  can be shaded a different color from the fiber block  612  to aid in the location of the channel plug  622  within the block. 
         [0055]    As shown in  FIG. 26 , cutting of a live plant  126  can be inserted into one of more of the vertical channels  416  and obliquely aligned channels  516  so as to secure the plants  126  to allow them to take root along a bank or shoreline where the fiber block planting segment  610  is installed. The ends of the plants  126  extending out of the rear face  634  of the fiber block  612  would be implanted in the soil overlaid on the anchor flap  623 . 
         [0056]      FIGS. 27-29  illustrate another fiber block planting segment  710  encompassing aspects of the present disclosure. The fiber block planting segment  710  includes a fiber block  712  made of coir fiber and a coir fiber mesh  714  wrap that encloses the fiber block  712 . The wrap includes a bottom anchor flap  723  extending from bottom of the fiber block  712  and a top anchor flap  726  extending over and beyond the top surface  724  of the block  712 . The top anchor flap  726  and the bottom anchor flap  723  are aligned to secure the fiber block  712  in place where the fiber block planting segment  710  is installed. Each of the top and bottom anchor flaps  726  and  723  can be secured with stakes or other fasteners and/or dirt, rock, gravel, sand or other weighted material placed thereon to secure the flaps in place. The fiber block  712  includes a plurality of vertically aligned channels  716  formed therein. As shown in  FIG. 29 , the channels  716  are cylindrical and extend completely through the fiber block  712  and open to the top surface  724  and the bottom surface of the fiber block  712 . Each of the channels  716  can have a channel plug removably disposed therein. 
         [0057]      FIGS. 30-32  illustrate various configurations of the fiber block planting segments encompassed by the present disclosure installed along the bank or shoreline adjacent a body of water to restore an eroded bank or protect a shoreline. As shown in  FIG. 30 , a fiber block planting system installed along a stream bank is shown comprising at least three different fiber block planting segments. A stream bed  56  contains water that extends to a water line  54 . Along the bank adjacent the stream are installed at least three rows of fiber block segments. The lowest row adjacent the water line  54  includes fiber block planting segment  110  that includes a fiber block  112  that has a vertically aligned channel  116  formed therein. A cutting of a live plant  126  is inserted in the channel  116  and secured in place along the stream bank by the fiber block planting segment  110 . The top end of the plant  126  extends out of the channel  116  from the top surface of the fiber block and the bottom end of the plant  126  extends of the channel  116  from the bottom surface of the fiber block  112  into the soil along the stream bank. The fiber block planting segment  110  is secured in place by stake  30 . The fiber block planting segment  112  secures the plant  126  in place in the soil to allow the cutting time to take root and grow even when the waterline  54  rises and the stream current buffets the stream bank. 
         [0058]    In the next row up from the waterline  54 , another fiber block planting segment  410  is installed. The fiber block planting segment  410  includes a fiber block  412  in which is disposed a vertically aligned channel  416 . The fiber block planting segment  410  also includes a bottom anchor flap  423  extending from the bottom of the fiber block  412  away from the waterline toward the stream bank. The bottom anchor flap  423  is secured in place by both a stake  30  and soil disposed thereon. In the channel  416  is disposed a cutting of a live plant  126  that extends outward from the top of the fiber block  412  and from the bottom of the fiber block into the soil of the stream bank. 
         [0059]    In the third row up from the waterline  54  along the stream bank is disposed a third fiber block planting segment  110  that also includes a fiber block  112  having a vertically aligned channel  116  formed therein. Another cutting of a live plant  126  is disposed in the channel  116  and extends through the bottom of the fiber block  112  into the soil below. The fiber block planting segment  110  is also secured in place by a stake  30 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 31  shows another fiber block planting segment installation along the bank of stream that has a stream bed  56  with a water line  54  there over. The fiber block planting system shown in  FIG. 31  includes a fiber block planting segment  510  installed adjacent the waterline  54 . The fiber block planting segment  510  includes a fiber block  512  having a top surface  524  and a horizontally aligned channel  516  formed thereon. The channel  516  extends through the entire width of the fiber block  512  and opens to both the front and rear surfaces of the fiber block  512 . A cutting of a live plant  126  is inserted horizontally in the channel  516  and extends outward toward the stream at one end and into the soil of the stream bank on the other end. The fiber block planting segment  510  also includes a bottom anchor flap  523  extending from the bottom of the fiber block  512  toward the stream bank. The bottom anchor flap  523  is secured in place by both a stake and soil disposed thereon. In a second row up from the waterline  54  is disposed another fiber block planting segment  110  that includes a fiber block  112  that has a vertically aligned channel  116  formed therein. A cutting of a live plant  126  is inserted completely through the channel  116  and extends outward from the top surface  124  of the fiber block  12  and downward into the soil of the stream bank from the bottom surface of the fiber block  112 . The fiber block planting segments  110  and  510  are both secured in place by stakes  30  disposed along the water face of the fiber blocks. 
         [0061]      FIG. 32  illustrates yet another fiber block planting system installation along a stream bank. Adjacent the streambed  56  above the waterline  54 , three rows of fiber block planting segments  510  are installed. The fiber block planting segments  510  each have horizontally aligned channels  516  in which are disposed cuttings of live plants  126 . The cuttings of live plants  126  extend from one end of the fiber block planting segments  510  into the air adjacent the stream and from the opposed end into the soil of the stream bank. The fiber block planting segments  510  are secured by the anchoring of bottom anchor flaps  523  in place by stakes  30  and soil disposed thereon. In the third row up from the waterline  54  is disposed fiber block planting segment  510 . 
         [0062]    While fiber block planting segments  110  and  510  are shown installed in  FIGS. 30-32  it should be understood that each of the various embodiments of the fiber block planting segments shown and described herein and encompassed by the present disclosure can be installed in like manner along a stream bank or shoreline. In each case, one or more channels of the fiber block planting segments can be used to receive a cutting of a live plant or other plant to be planted into the soil of the stream bank or shoreline. 
         [0063]    The various alignments of the channels within the fiber blocks and the various configurations of sleeves disclosed herein can be combined in alternative arrangements of fiber block planting systems encompassed by the present disclosure. Other embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from their consideration of the specification and practice of the present disclosure disclosed in this document. The applicant intends that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the present disclosure being indicated by the following claims.