VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Elaeagnus umbellata | Autumn-Olive 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Autumn-olive is highly valued species for wildlife [8,12,13,24].  It
provides both cover and food for a variety of birds and mammals.  The
fruits, which remain on the plant until late winter, are browsed by
deer, songbirds, and gamebirds [7,17,23,28]. The foliage provides
thermal and nesting cover for birds and small mammals, especially when
planted as windbreaks [7,23].


PALATABILITY : 
NO-ENTRY


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


COVER VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Autumn-olive has been widely used throughout its naturalized range for a
variety of purposes.  It tolerates harsh site conditions and fixes
nitrogen, making it a low-maintenance, productive perennial.  It has
been successfully planted in shelterbelts throughout the Prairie states
to prevent wind erosion and for wildlife habitat [8,14,24].  It has also
been used for mine reclamation in the eastern United States [9,28].



OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
Autumn-olive is used as an ornamental on highway and park landscapes
[7].

Because of its nitrogen fixing abilities, autumn-olive has been utilized
as a nurse plant for black walnut (Juglans nigra) in Canada and the
United States [15,17,21].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Autumn-olive easily escapes cultivation and is difficult to control.  It
may reduce overall site productivity [10].  In the forests of New
England, it seriously competes with native plant species [13].

Autumn-olive is probably not adapted for plantings outside its current
naturalized range.  Outside this range, it shows poor rates of survival
[3,19].

Related categories for Species: Elaeagnus umbellata | Autumn-Olive