VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Artemisia cana ssp. bolanderi | Bolander Silver Sagebrush 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Bolander silver sagebrush basins are unique habitats that add to
diversity and increase edge in areas dominated by low and tall sagebrush
species.  These sites are important foraging areas for mule deer,
pronghorn, and sage grouse [4].  In Oregon, Bolander silver sagebrush is
a highly preferred mule deer winter browse [24].  Mule deer use Bolander
silver sagebrush communities more often than expected given their
availability on central Oregon winter ranges [414].  Although browse use
declines throughout the spring and summer, deer heavily utilize
associated forage plants that are created by spring flooding,
particularly Newberry cinquefoil (Potentilla newberryi) and desert
combleaf (Polyctenium fremontii) [14].  Throughout the summer these
"flats" are frequently used by pronghorn as resting and bedding areas.
Generally, livestock utilization of Bolander silver sagebrush basins is
slight; in most cases the herbaceous understory is not maintained
through the grazing season.


PALATABILITY : 
Bolander silver sagebrush is a highly palatable forage species on mule
deer winter ranges in Oregon [14].  In feeding trials with captive
animals this subspecies was among the more highly preferred of the seven
sagebrush taxa compared [24].  It was highly preferred by mule deer in
both the fall and winter and was utilized but not preferred by domestic
sheep.


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
The silver sagebrush complex is rated as fair in energy value and fair
to good in protein value [5].


COVER VALUE : 
Cover is typically sparse in alkaline basins dominated by Bolander
silver sagebrush.  Not only do stands occupy sites of low productive
potential [11], but many have been seriously overgrazed.  Plants are
seldom tall enough or dense enough to provide cover for animals larger
than geese, swans, coyotes, or rabbits [4].


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Bolander silver sagebrush appears to be a good revegetation candidate on
sites to which it is adpated.  Not only do plants sprout and layer, but
they are also able to tolerate wide fluctuations in soil moisture
conditions.  However, no information was located regarding its use in
rehabilitation projects.  Plains silver sagebrush (A. cana ssp. cana)
has been successfully established on coal spoils in eastern Montana [9].

McArthur [16] indicated that Bolander silver sagebrush is generally
adapted for planting on sites having poorly drained, heavy soils.
Monsen [19] recommended that silver sagebrush be used for riparian
plantings in mountain brush and sagebrush/desert communities.  Plants
can be propagated via stem or root cuttings and also by wildlings [6,9].
Transplant material should consist of rooted cuttings, 1-0 nursery
stock, or hardened-off, containerized stock.


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
Waterholes are often developed in basins dominated by Bolander silver
sagebrush.  Drainage ditches are dug across the basin floor to rapidly
concentrate spring-runoff from wide, shallow naturally occurring ponds
into deeper reserviors where the water does not evaporate as readily.
Consequently, a reliable water source is maintained further into the
livestock grazing season [14].  In smaller basins the drainage is so
greatly improved that big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) and
rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus ssp.) are able to invade and sometimes
replace stands of silver sagebrush [4,14].  Another method of creating
additional water sources without sacrificing the unique qualities of
silver sagebrush communities involves the installation of "guzzlers"
(catchment aprons with storage tanks) in adjacent community types [14].

Silver sagebrush has been used as an ornamental in England.  In America,
this species has been used historically as fuelwood by both Indians and
white settlers [17].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Opportunities to increase forage production within Bolander silver
sagebrush basins are low.  Few introduced species are adapted to the
heavy clay soils and seasonal flooding characteristic of these sites
[3].  Stands are best left untilled and unsprayed.

Related categories for Species: Artemisia cana ssp. bolanderi | Bolander Silver Sagebrush