VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Calluna vulgaris | Heather 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Heather leaves and shoots are the most important yearlong food of rock
ptarmigan and grouse in Scotland and Denmark [39].  Heather may comprise
80 to 100 percent of the diet of grouse, and also constitutes a large
portion of the diet of domestic sheep [10].  Red deer and mountain hare
also browse heather [35].


PALATABILITY : 
NO-ENTRY


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
New shoot tips of heather are higher in nitrogen, phosphorous, and
copper than older stems; they decline in nutritional value after the
first year [24,35].


COVER VALUE : 
Heather is the primary cover of the European red grouse.  Grouse use
tall, old heather for cover; young, accessible shoots for food; and
dense patches for breeding [35].  Heather probably also provides good
cover for other upland game birds, small nongame birds, and small
mammals.


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
NO-ENTRY


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
NO-ENTRY


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Heather has lower shoot production, decreased dry shoot weight, and
reduced flowering in shaded conditions [15,20]. The quantity of lignin,
condensed tannin, and phenolic compounds produced is considerably
reduced under shaded conditions, making it more desirable to herbivores
[20].

In simulated grazing experiments, light to medium grazing increased the
number of shoot apices of heather, but heavy grazing eventually caused a
decline in cover.  Summer grazing may be more detrimental than winter
grazing, and older plants may be more vulnerable to grazing than younger
ones [15].

Heather releases allelopathic substances that may inhibit invasion
and growth of some trees in heather-dominated heaths and moors
[14,48,49].

Related categories for Species: Calluna vulgaris | Heather