VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Baccharis halimifolia | Groundsel-Tree 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Grelen [12] lists groundsel-tree as a "desirable" browse species for
white-tailed deer, although it probably has little or no value for other
wildlife species and may be toxic to some [4].  Laboratory tests on mice
and chicks indicate that ingestion of more than 2 percent of an animal's
body weight in groundsel-tree foliage may be toxic.  Visible symptoms of
groundsel-tree poisoning range from mild depression followed by recovery
to extreme listlessness and stupor followed by death.  The toxic
compound in groundsel-bush attacks the hepatic and circulatory systems
[7].


PALATABILITY : 
Groundsel-tree is unpalatable to cattle and often displaces more
palatable forage [4].


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


COVER VALUE : 
Groundsel-tree provides emergency cover for muskrats when storm tides
sweep through southern Louisiana salt marshes [18].


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Groundsel-tree's tolerance of salt spray [20], and rapid colonization of
disturbed sites [21] may make it useful for disturbed site
rehabilitation in some situations.  More often, it is considered a weed.
One eastern-Texas native-prairie restoration project reported that the
presence of invading groundsel-trees reduced forb diversity [13].


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
Hardiness, freedom from disease, and attractive fall foliage make
groundsel-tree an attractive ornamental.  It may aggravate hay fever
symptoms for some people [4].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Baccharis species are problem weeds of rangelands, pastures, parks,
recreational areas, and floodplains.  Mowing and broadleaf herbicide
treatments at 1- to 3-year intervals may provide control, although such
control methods are often not cost-effective.  Phytophagous Brazilian
insects have been successfully used to control introduced Baccharis
species in Australia.  Similar techniques show promise for use in the
United States [4].

Related categories for Species: Baccharis halimifolia | Groundsel-Tree