VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Garrya fremontii | Fremont Silktassel 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Fremont silktassel is browsed by livestock and mule deer in winter and
spring [2,3].  It is one of the principal winter browse species on some
Oregon ranges [26].  The fruit is eaten by various chaparral animals
including songbirds, mountain quail, gray fox, and rodents [18,22].


PALATABILITY : 
Fremont silktassel fruit is palatable to birds and various mammals.
Older leaves and twigs contain a bitter alkaloid that makes them
unpalatable to some browsers.  Sprouts, however, are highly palatable to
mule deer and all classes of livestock.  The relish and degree of use
shown by livestock and wildlife species for Fremont silktassel leaves
and twigs in California is rated as follows [22]:

                         mule deer - good
                         cattle - poor
                         horses - poor
                         goats - good
                         sheep - fair to good


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
The protein content of Fremont silktassel varies from 12.0 percent in
May and June to 5.1 percent in August [2].


COVER VALUE : 
Fremont silktassel provides good cover for black bear, mule deer, and
various birds and small mammals [18].


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Fremont silktassel can be used for wildlife habitat and watershed
rehabilitation.  It is easily cultivated from stem cuttings or seed, and
transplants well.  Nursery-grown seedlings transplanted in the Klamath
River Canyon, California showed an 84 percent survival rate after 17
years [8].  Seed can be obtained by harvesting native plants.
Cultivation methods have been detailed [21].


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
Fremont silktassel's shiny, yellow-green leaves, showy yellow panicles,
and purple berries make it an attractive landscaping oramental [21,22].
    
Garryine, an alkaloid extracted from Fremont silktassel, was used by
early settlers as a tonic [22].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Timber:  Because Fremont silktassel occurs as widely scattered
individuals in most areas, it is usually not a serious competitor of
timber species.  Fremont silktassel is difficult to control where it
grows in dominant stands, however.  It will sprout following hand
release or contolled burning.  Some chemical treatments may not be
effective, since Garrya species show resistance to many foliar sprays.
Phenoxy compounds, rated as intermediate in effectiveness for this
genus, may be the best choice for timberland spraying.  Application
methods have been detailed.  Fremont silktassel may sprout following
die-back from chemical spraying [4].

Related categories for Species: Garrya fremontii | Fremont Silktassel