VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Heteromeles arbutifolia | Toyon 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Toyon browse is generally considered of little importance to livestock
or wildlife [8,56].  Plants often grow beyond the reach of most
livestock [56] and the thick, leathery leaves are largely unpalatable
[38,42,56].  Use typically occurs in the late summer or fall when more
palatable herbaceous plants are cured [2,39].  The current year's growth
is heavily utilized by domestic goats on forested sites dominated by
Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) and red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis)
[67].  Mature fruits are extensively utilized by numerous wildlife
species, particularly birds [11,30,37,66].  The California quail,
band-tailed pigeon, and raccoon all readily consume toyon berries.
Toyon is apparently of localized importance as deer browse in portions
of California [56].


PALATABILITY : 
Palatability of toyon browse ranges from low to moderate, depending on
plant condition and community associates [2,56].  Mature plants are
rarely utilized by livestock or wildlife because of large concentrations
of tannins and cyanogenic glycosides [38,42,56].  Following fire,
however, toyon produces an abundance of leafy sprouts which are much
preferred by black-tailed deer [2,56,57].

Browse ratings for toyon in California are presented below [56]:

    goats               good - fair
    deer                good - fair
    sheep               poor - useless
    cattle              useless
    horses              useless


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


COVER VALUE : 
Toyon is most commonly associated with an array of tall, broad-leaved
shrubs constituting scrub oak chaparral [20].  Tall shrub communities
dominated by scrub oak lend structural and compositional diversity to a
landscape otherwise dominated by shorter statured chamise chaparral and
provide important nesting and hiding cover for numerous birds and small
mammals.


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Due to its wide-spreading root system and relatively rapid growth
following disturbance, toyon is useful for erosion control on dry, steep
hillsides [37,58].  On suitable sites, transplants may grow 11 to 18
feet (3.4 to 5.5 m) tall with comparable spreads in approximately 20
years [13].  Toyon is also widely used for wildlife plantings, since the
berries are eaten by a variety of bird species [58].

Toyon seed should be collected in the fall [6].  Seedlings can be
started in nursery beds using unstratified seed in the fall or
stratified seed in the spring.  Plants may also be propagated by
grafting and by cuttings [37].


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
Toyon is well known for its large and abundant clusters of bright red
berries [10], and plants are often cultivated for ornamental purposes,
especially var. macrocarpa [13,45,46].  Sprigs of toyon or "Christmas
berry" were once widely used as a commercial substitute for the more
traditional English holly (Ilex aquifolium) throughout much of
California [56,58].  Today, however, California state law prohibits
anyone from collecting the branches of wild toyon [10].  Patches of
toyon become prominent in December when the berries are particularly
conspicuous [56].  It is thought that the community of Hollywood may
have derived its name from the display of toyon on the surrounding
foothills [10].

Toyon berries are sweet and spicy and have been used historically for a
variety of purposes.  West Coast Indian tribes gathered the berries for
food and medicinal uses; Spanish settlers concocted a beverage from the
berries [8,10].  Channel Island fishermen apparently used toyon bark to
tan their fishing nets [10].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Browsing:  Although mature toyon is typically unpalatable, heavy use may
occur on overgrazed rangelands such as those on Santa Catalina Island.
Decades of severe overgrazing by feral animals (pigs, sheep, goats) has
removed more palatable species and has converted chaparral stands into
open, arborescent woodlands.  Within these communities, toyon often
exhibits a noticeable browse line and a trend towards increased trunk
diameter, canopy area, and height.  Toyon can recover from prolonged
overuse.  On sites where feral sheep grazing was excluded, plants
immediately produced basal sprouts and within 3 years lost their pruned
appearance [5].

Herbicides:  Toyon is sensitive to such herbicides as 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T
[51,68].  If sprouts are treated following burning, plants are killed by
retreatment [68].

Related categories for Species: Heteromeles arbutifolia | Toyon