VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Aralia spinosa | Devil's Walking Stick 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Insects harvest pollen and nectar from the flowers of Devil's walking
stick [8].  The fruits are used as food by many birds and other
frugivores, including black bear [7,8,14,15].  Van Dersal reported that
deer use Devil's walking stick as browse [32].  White [37] did not
observe any deer browsing of young ramets but did observe stem damage
due to antler rubbing.


PALATABILITY : 
NO-ENTRY


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


COVER VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
NO-ENTRY


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
Devil's walking stick bark, roots, and berries have been used for
medicinal purposes, both by Native Americans and European settlers.  It
is planted as an ornamental in North America and Europe [33].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Control:  Devil's walking stick is killed by aerosol applications of
glyphosate at rates of 1.50 to 2.25 pounds per acre (0.56-2.52 kg/ha)
applied three times at 2-week intervals from mid-August to mid-September
[35].  Korostoff [17] reported that Devil's walking stick is controlled
by cutting and application of herbicide to the stump.  The most
effective treatment reported by Loftis [20] is injection of stems larger
than 2 inches in diameter with herbicide; basal sprays were ineffective
on his study sites.

Establishment:  Devil's walking stick populations are maintained only on
disturbed sites.  When the overstory cover becomes thick enough, Devil's
walking stick declines.  Defoliation by gypsy moth infestation in
Pennsylvania and Maryland resulted in an increase in stems per acre of
Devil's walking stick, due both to injury of Devil's walking stick
ramets and to release by removal of overstory [12].  Mowing or cutting
of stems results in vigorous sprouting of new ramets from underground
rhizomes and is recommended for maintenance of vigorous stands [14,15].
Fire also produces appropriate disturbances and stem damage, and could
be used to maintain Devil's walking stick stands [36].

Related categories for Species: Aralia spinosa | Devil's Walking Stick