VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Garrya wrightii | Wright Silktassel 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Livestock:  In Arizona chaparral, livestock prefer Wright silktassel
over many other shrub species [34], and it is reportedly good browse for
cattle in the Trans-Pecos region of Texas [27].  In many areas, however,
it is considered worthless for livestock forage [5,11].  Goats readily
eat Wright silktassel [5,14].

Wildlife:  Wright silktassel provides a stable supply of browse for deer
and elk in chaparral and pinyon-juniper communities.  Desert bighorn
sheep browse this shrub [16].  Seasonal consumption of Wright silktassel
by mule deer and elk in a pinyon-juniper woodland in southwestern New
Mexico is summarized below [32]:

            Percent composition of the diet (leaves and stems)

              Winter    Spring    Summer    Autumn

mule deer       3         4         4         5
elk             3         9        12        14

Following prescribed burning in central Arizona chaparral, white-tailed
deer browsed 8 percent of Wright silktassel sprouts from May through
July, and 14 percent in September [29].  Another study in central
Arizona chaparral found that deer and cattle use of Wright silktassel
sprouts following prescribed burning was high.  This use is summarized
below [24]:

     deer use only, second growing         deer and cattle use, third
     season following fire                 growing season following fire
 
       51 percent utilization                25 percent utilization


PALATABILITY : 
Wright silktassel contains quininelike substances which produce a bitter
taste and may account for its relatively low palatability to cattle
[35].  It is highly palatable to goats [14].  White-tailed deer and mule
deer "relative preference" for Wright silktassel is as follows [31]:

                     Winter    Spring    Summer    Autumn

mule deer             low       low       low       low
white-tailed deer     high      medium    low       medium


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
Wright silktassel browse is readily digestible.  Throughout the year,
however, it is low in protein and phosphorus and has a low
phosphorus/calcium ratio.  It is lower in protein than many associated
shrubs.  Seasonal nutrient composition and in vitro digestibility of
current annual twig growth from plants in a southwestern New Mexico
pinyon-juniper woodland was reported as follows [32]:

                                 (% of dry weight)
                          -----------------------------------
         Digestibility    Protein    Phosphorus    P:Ca ratio

Winter        55            5.2         0.12         0.11
Spring        58            6.1         0.13         0.05
Summer        56            6.9         0.13         0.15
Autumn        53            5.6         0.09         0.06


Following burning, crude protein levels of sprouts is much higher than
that of unburned plants.  Crude protein of sprouts, recorded during the
first growing season following a September prescribed burn in Arizona
chaparral, is presented below [29]:

             Date            Crude Protein
                           (% of dry weight)

             May 1               14
             June 1              13
             July 1               7
             August 1             8
             September 1         10
             Oct-March           5-7


COVER VALUE : 
Wright silktassel presumably provides cover for wild and domestic
animals. 


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Silktassels (Garrya spp.) are sometimes used for erosion control.  Fruit
collection, seed storage, seed treatment, and sowing methods have been
detailed [30].  Nursery-grown seedlings are ready for transplanting at 2
years of age [30].


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
Wright silktassel is used as an ornamental [33].  Rubber has been made
from this plant in small quantities [13].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Wright silktassel is moderatly resistant to phenoxy herbicides.
Following spraying, leaves and stems may die, but most plants eventually
refoliate or sprout from the root crown [10].  Plants are susceptible to
root plowing [3,10].  Recommendations for chemical and mechanical
control of Arizona chaparral shrubs have been discussed [10].

Related categories for Species: Garrya wrightii | Wright Silktassel