VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Agrostis stolonifera | Creeping Bentgrass 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Creeping bentgrass is important forage for livestock because it stays
green and palatable throughout the summer.  In general, it is moderately
productive [23,24,59].  On moist sites, creeping bentgrass produces good
forage throughout the growing season, but is less productive and less
palatable than many introduced perennial grasses [59].


PALATABILITY : 
Creeping bentgrass has a high palatability rating in the spring and
early summer, fair after flowering, and poor in winter [4,24].  It is
rated fair to good for livestock and highly satisfactory for elk
[23,24].


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
Creeping bentgrass is rated good in nutritional value for elk and mule
deer, poor for pronghorn, and fair for white-tailed deer, small mammals,
small nongame birds, upland game birds, and waterfowl [4,24].  Energy
rating is fair and protein content is poor [24].


COVER VALUE : 
Cover value of creeping bentgrass is rated good for upland game birds
and waterfowl and fair for small mammals and small nongame birds [24].  


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Creeping bentgrass is moderately effective in stabilizing streambanks
due to its typically dense network of intertwining roots and rhizomes.
However, bank undercutting and sloughing may occur, especially when
soils are wet or stands are weakened by excessive grazing [4,24].
Erosion control, short-term revegetation potential, and long-term
revegetation potential are rated high for creeping bentgrass [24].  In
subalpine and spruce-fir (Picea-Abies) habitats of the Intermountain
West, creeping bentgrass is recommended for direct seeding and
transplanting on riparian sites.  Transplant capability is good, growth
rate is moderate, and flooding tolerance is moderate [43].  Creeping
bentgrass is used in the Northeast for erosion control [50].

An abandoned tailings pond from a zinc-lead mill near Pecos, New Mexico,
was sampled after 50 years of mining.  An ephemeral stream ran through
the tailings pond and had resulted in extensive flooding and deposition
of sediment on top of original tailings.  A distinct vegetational
community had developed and creeping bentgrass was found in the mesic
meadow site.  High levels of zinc and lead were found in vegetation
being grazed by cattle.
 


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
Creeping bentgrass is widely used in turf culture, especially for golf
courses [59].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Overgrazing on sites formerly dominated by native grasses produces
changes in vegetational communities.  Once a suitable site is disturbed,
the extensive stolon system of creeping bentgrass allows it to rapidly
spread and establish.  It also withstands high levels of grazing, making
replacement with former dominants difficult [24].

Creeping bentgrass is tolerant of close grazing due to its somewhat
prostrate growth form, rhizomatous growth habit, and lower palatability
than associated species.  If creeping bentgrass is used as a pasture
grass, close grazing followed by rest in a rotation system is
recommended to keep plants producing palatable forage all season.
Plants should be cut during early flowering to obtain highest quality
hay [23,24].

Creeping bentgrass readily colonizes areas disturbed by logging,
plowing, burning, or excessive grazing [23,56].

Related categories for Species: Agrostis stolonifera | Creeping Bentgrass