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



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Typically growing in basins and along drainageways, plains silver
sagebrush stands offer structural diversity and increase the amount of
edge on the mixed-grass prairies of the Northern Great Plains.  This
shrub is an important big game winter browse throughout its range and is
heavily used when other food is scarce [2].  Livestock utilization of
plains silver sagebrush communities is primarily confined to associated
herbaceous understory species.  This subspecies generally increases in
response to grazing [25,36] and dense stands can form where depleted
understories coincide with concentrated animal use.  On these sites,
control measures which decrease shrub competition can effectively
increase desirable forage [38,39].


PALATABILITY : 
Although palatability varies according to site and associated species,
plains silver sagebrush is generally an important winter browse for both
livestock and big game on the Northern Great Plains.  Although not as
palatable as Wyoming big sagebrush, plains silver sagebrush is readily
eaten by elk and mule deer during the winter.  It is also an important
pronghorn survival food.  Plants are heavily utilized by domestic sheep
in some localities [3,22].  Use by cottontails and voles has been
observed in Montana [36].

The degree of use shown by livestock and wildlife species for plains
silver sagebrush in several western states is rated as follows [9]:
                    CO        MT        ND       UT        WY
Cattle              Fair      Fair      Fair     ----      Fair        
Sheep               Fair      Good      Good     ----      Good       
Horses              Poor      Fair      Fair     ----      Fair      
Pronghorn           ----      ----      Poor     Poor      Poor
Elk                 ----      Fair      ----     ----      Fair 
Mule deer           Fair      Good      Fair     ----      Good
White-tailed deer   ----      Poor      Poor     ----      Poor 
Small mammals       Fair      Fair      Poor     ----      Good
Small nongame birds ----      Fair      Fair     ----      Good 
Upland game birds   Good      Fair      Fair     ----      Good
Waterfowl           ----      ----      Poor     ----      Poor    


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
Plains silver sagebrush has been rated fair in energy value and fair to
good in protein value [9].



COVER VALUE : 
Plains silver sagebrush provides cover for a wide variety of birds and
animals, especially in open grasslands where cover is lacking.  It has
great potential for use in upland game bird cover plantings due to its
resprouting ability and also the relative ease with which transplanted
seedlings can be established [28].

The degree to which plains silver sagebrush provides environmental
protection during one or more seasons for wildlife species is as follows
[9]:
                     CO        MT        ND        WY
Pronghorn           ----      Fair      Fair      Good
Elk                 ----      ----      ----      Poor
Mule deer           ----      Fair      Fair      Fair 
White-tailed deer   ----      Poor      Fair      Poor 
Small mammals       Good      Good      Fair      Good 
Small nongame birds Good      Good      Fair      Good 
Upland game birds   Good      Fair      Fair      Good 
Waterfowl           ----      Good      Fair      Fair 



VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Plains silver sagebrush is well-suited for establishment on sites where
management objectives include erosion control, water (snow) retention,
enhancement of wildlife cover, or increases in forage production [15,36].
Unlike the other two subspecies which are adapted to poorly drained,
heavy soils, plains silver sagebrush is adapted to riparian sites on the
Great Plains which are characterized by well-drained, coarse-textured
profiles.

Plains silver sagebrush seedlings have been successfully established in
field trials [15,22].  Harvey [15] suggests that seed collections be made
in October.  He estimates that approximately 190 seeds per decimeter of
inflorescence can usually be obtained.  Stratification is not necessary.
Resulting densities of 1 plant per 1 square meter can be achieved by
sowing seeds at the rate of about 14 kg/ha.  These methods should
eventually result in approximately five plants per square meter at the
end of 1 year.  Secondary dispersion occurs approximately 4 years after
initial establishment.  Initiation of vegetative reproduction requires a
somewhat longer time period.

Wildings of this species can also be successfully established in many
areas.  Transplants should be planted before April to ensure that root
establishment occurs prior to initiation of shoot growth [15].
Propagation from hardwood cuttings is another option with plains silver
sagebrush.  Harvey [15] experienced 87 percent rooting success when he
used 6-inch (12.2 cm) cuttings which had the bottom 1.5 inches (3.8 cm)
stripped of leaves.  He then dipped cuttings in "Rootone" and placed
them in a misting propagation bench with a growth medium consisting of
50 percent sand, 25 percent vermiculite, 15 percent peat, and 10 percent
perlite.

Plains silver sagebrush has been established on coal spoils in Montana.
It rated second out of four Artemisia species in establishment success
[15].  Seedling development, however, was much poorer on coal spoils than
on adjacent sites having naturally occurring topsoil.  Apparently the
absence of nutrients, nodule-forming bacteria, and/or mycorrhizal fungi
were responsible for such results.


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
Silver sagebrushes have been used as ornamentals in England.  In America
this shrub has been used historically as fuelwood by both Native
Americans and white settlers [21].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Due to its forage value and the infrequent occurrence of extensive
stands, plains silver sagebrush is not usually a candidate for plant
control measures.  Since this subspecies sprouts vigorously following
disturbance, no action should be taken in areas where existing densities
are acceptable [3].

Stand densities on important winter ranges can be manipulated by a
variety of methods.  Vigorous resprouting can be induced through
mechanical treatment or prescribed burning.  Results of recent studies
indicate that prescribed burning can create a wide range of plant
densities [39].  Generally, spring burning under high soil moisture
conditions tends to enhance plains silver sagebrush, while fall burning
under dry moisture conditions tends to decrease coverages.  (For further
details see fire effects information for this species.)

Shrub removal is often necessary in dense stands where understory
species have been depleted.  In studies comparing various methods of
control (mechanical, chemical, and fire), fall burning produced the
greatest overall mortality with approximately 71 percent of plants dying
[38].  Mechanical cutting was most effective (67 percent mortality) when
conducted in late May or early June on plants less than 1 cubic meter in
size.  Chemical application of tebuthiuron or picloram was effective at
rates of 0.9 to 1.3 kg ai/ha.  Herbaceous plants were killed at higher
rates; lower rates had little effect on shrubs.

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