VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Gaultheria procumbens | Wintergreen 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Wintergreen is not taken in large quantities by any species of wildlife,
but the regularity of its use enhances its importance.  Its fruit
persists through the winter and it is one of the few sources of green
leaves in winter [32].  White-tailed deer browse wintergreen throughout
its range, and in some localities it is an important winter food.  Other
animals that eat wintergeen are wild turkey, sharp-tailed grouse,
northern bobwhite, ring-necked pheasant, black bear, white-footed mouse,
and red fox.  Wintergreen is a favorite food of the eastern chipmunk, and
the leaves are a minor winter food of the gray squirrel in Virginia
[26,37].


PALATABILITY : 
NO-ENTRY


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


COVER VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
NO-ENTRY


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
The leaves of wintergreen are used to make oil of wintergreen [27]


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Wintergreen is ordinarily plentiful in the woodlands of the Northeast,
and no special care is needed to perpetuate it.  Seedlings or clones are
established by plantings beneath taller shrubs or in other partially
shaded sites.  When plants have established, fruit production is
stimulated by thinning timber stands and removing overtopping vegetation
[32].

Wintergreen can be controlled by phenoxy herbicides [32].

Related categories for Species: Gaultheria procumbens | Wintergreen