VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Chrysolepis sempervirens | Bush Chinquapin 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
The seeds of bush chinquapin are a staple diet item of various birds and
rodents [9,24,26].  Twigs and leaves are rarely browsed by either
livestock or big game animals [24,32,40].


PALATABILITY : 
Bush chinkapin is rated as poor to useless for sheep, goats,
black-tailed deer, and bighorn sheep and useless for cattle and horses
[9,40].


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


COVER VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Managers have been largely frustrated in attempts to use bush chinquapin
for site rehabilitation, although it is recommended for such use on
disturbed watersheds and wildlife habitations [24].  The species is
difficult to cultivate.  Hormone-treated cuttings fail to root [24,26],
and containerized seedlings do not transplant well [24,39].  Seedlings
outplanted on a favorable central Sierra Nevada site denuded by a large
broken water pipe showed poorer survival (81 percent) after 2 years than
any of six other native species.  Average height and stem diameter of
surviving bush chinquapin was significantly (p>0.05) less than other
outplanted species [7].  Many managers have experienced 100 percent
mortality of transplants [24].  No attempts at establishing plants from
seed sown directly on-site were found in the literature, although this
method is recommended [26].  Managers have found onsite sowing of seed
to be the most effective in establishing the closely-related native
California oaks (Quercus spp.) because taproots develop normally [17].
Seed collection and processing information is available in the
literature [24].


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
The golden sheen of the lower leaf epidermis, showy cream-white male
catkins, and attractive burred fruits makes bush chinquapin of interest as
an ornamental, but commercial cultivation of the species has not been
successful [24,26].

The seeds are palatable to humans, either raw or roasted.  They were a
common diet item of Native Americans [25].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Rangeland:  Large numbers of bush chinquapin in rangelands are considered
indicators of overgrazing [40].

Timber:  Bush chinquapin suppress growth of young conifers in the shrub
understory. In one such case, a brushfield of bush chinquapin, greenleaf
manzanita, and Sierra mountain misery (Chamaebatia foliolosa) on the
Blodgett Forest Research Station of El Dorado County, California, was
cleared and planted with sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum).  Within 16
years, the bush chinquapin and greenleaf manzanita had grown to 6 feet
(1.8 m) in height.  Sequoia saplings were suppressed at or below this
level.  Researchers removed all brush and sprayed sprouting brush with
herbicide the following year.  Released sequoias developed much broader
crowns and grew from 3 to 4 feet (0.9-1.2 m) within 2 years [20].

Control:  Mature bush chinquapin sprouts after initial herbicide
spraying and requires repeated treatments to effect a high percentage of
kill.  Foliar sprays of phenoxy herbicides applied in early spring are
effective [15].  Bush chinquapin cover was significantly (p>0.05) reduced
on a burn planted with Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi) following treatment
with 2,4,5-T [5].

Diseases:  Bush chinquapin is susceptible to oak wilt, a potentially
lethal disease caused by a fungal pathogen (Ceratocyctic fagacearum).
Oak wilt is spreading westward from the Great Plains area [38].

Related categories for Species: Chrysolepis sempervirens | Bush Chinquapin