VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Physocarpus malvaceus | Ninebark 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Ninebark's importance to livestock and wildlife is generally low to
moderate.  In central Idaho and western Montana, the grazing values for
livestock and wildlife are poor to none [35,46].  Ninebark made up only
8 percent of bighorn sheep browse in central Idaho [12].

Wildlife use of ninebark is usually minimal because more palatable
shrubs are commonly associated with it.  For up to 3 years following
fire, ninebark sprouts are frequently browsed by deer.  Ninebark becomes
a more important browse species on drier sites [38].


PALATABILITY : 
Ninebark is generally avoided as browse.  In northern Idaho, ninebark
was scarcely browsed when it exhibited a high cover percent [31].  In
cedar/hemlock (Thuja/Tsuga) ecosystems, it was found to be less
palatable than associated browse species [19].  In northern Utah,
however, mule deer browsed on ninebark during the summer months [44].
In northern Idaho, livestock browsing on ninebark seemed to increase its
utilization by producing more palatable stems.  Thilenius [48] found
that ninebark became more palatable to white-tailed deer following
browsing by livestock.

The degree of ninebark use shown by livestock and wildlife species 
in several western states is rated as follows [3,10]:

                      Montana          Utah       British Columbia
                      -------          ----       ----------------
Cattle                 poor            poor             ---
Sheep                  fair            fair             ---
Horses                 poor            poor             ---
Bighorn                ---             ---              poor
Elk                    ---             ---              poor
Moose                  ---             ---              poor
Mule deer              ---             ---              poor
White-tailed deer      ---             ---              poor
Caribou                ---             ---              poor


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
In Montana and Utah, ninebark only rated "fair" in energy and protein
values [10].

Mean mineral concentration values of the upper one-third of ninebark's
current annual growth measured over 3 years (1974-76) on burned and
unburned sites on the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Idaho, were as
follows [32]:

            N      K     Mn    Cu      Mg    Ca     P     Zn     Na
            %      %     ppm   ppm     %     %      %     ppm    ppm
          ------------------------------------------------------------ 
Burned     1.30   1.60   40    6.50   0.22  1.20   0.30   14     48    
Unburned   0.90   1.20   60    5.80   0.20  1.00   0.28   20     53


COVER VALUE : 
Ninebark can form dense thickets, which provide good shelter and cover
for a variety of wildlife species from small birds to large mammals.


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
The Soil Conservation Service in Pullman, Washington, has evaluated
ninebark in order to develop this shrub's soil-stabilizing
characteristics for streambank stabilization projects [26].  Results
from this evaluation are not available.

Ninebark suitability ratings for revegetating road cuts in northwestern
Montana are as follows [18]:

Initial(1)  Final (2)                   Natural    Soil (4)    Composite
Survival    Survival  Growth  Vigor(3)  Spread  Stabilization    Rating 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   6           8         5       5         0          4            28
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Ratings for each factor are based on a scale from 0 to 10 with 10
    being best.    
(2) Final survival based on percentage of initial survivors alive after
    4 years.
(3) Based on flowering growth rate and appearance.
(4) Based on root system and observed holding power.



OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
NO-ENTRY


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Ninebark decreases the productivity of forest lands by severely
restricting regeneration.  Tordon 22K and Tordon 101 have been used
successfully to control this deep-rooted, perennial shrub [41]. Distortion, curling, and browning of ninebark leaf margins were
noted 1 week after application.  At the end of one growing season, there
was almost 100 percent browning and drying of foliage [41].

In northern Idaho, ninebark showed two peaks of apparent susceptibility
to damage from spraying 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T:  in June, when the plants
were in bloom, and again in September before leaf drop.  Crown kill
averaged 99 and 80 percent respectively.  Following these treatments,
sprouts averaged about two per plant.  Spraying at these times decreases
ninebark, thereby possibly benefitting associated species [28,36].

Two to three quarts (1.9-2.8 l) of Roundup herbicide with water
top-killed 62 to 80 percent of ninebark foliage when applied during late
foliar development [33].  Ninebark control using Esteron brush killer
achieved best results when this herbicide was mixed with diesel and
sprayed by helicopter from low altitudes [less than 150 feet/(46 m)]
[34].

In many Douglas-fir/ninebark habitat types, pocket gophers have been
identified as a management problem.  They apparently damage young pines,
perhaps allowing ninebark communities to outcompete conifer species.
Burning, livestock grazing, and scarification have been attempted to rid
ninebark sites of pocket gophers [46].

Related categories for Species: Physocarpus malvaceus | Ninebark