VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Salix boothii | Booth Willow 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Livestock:  Dense stands of Booth willow can be inaccessible to
livestock.  Cattle will utilize Booth willow if accessible [24,34].

Wildlife:  Booth willow is an important source of browse for deer, elk,
moose, and small mammals [1,2,33].  Moose utilize Booth willow stands
extensively in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho [2,33,34].  Many avian
species nest and feed in Booth willow stands [9,33,34].

  


PALATABILITY : 
Booth willow is highly palatable to deer, elk, beaver, and moose in
eastern Oregon [19].  Booth willow is less palatable to livestock and
ungulates than Geyer willow (Salix geyeriana), a frequent codominant.
Palatability of willows (Salix spp.) increases as the season progresses
[35].  Palatability of Booth willow to livestock and wildlife in several
western states has been rated as follows [2,13,24,34]:

                         MT       NV       UT       WY
Cattle                  Fair     ----     ----     Fair
Sheep                   Fair     ----     ----     ----
Horses                  Fair     ----     ----     ----
Pronghorn               Fair     ----     ----     ----
Elk                     Good     Good     ----     Good
Moose                   Good     ----     ----     ----
Mule deer               Fair     ----     ----     Fair
White-tailed deer       Fair     ----     ----     Fair
Small mammals           Good     ----     ----     ----
Small nongame birds     Good     Good     Good     Good
Upland game birds       Good     ----     ----     ----
Waterfowl               Fair     ----     ----     ----


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
Booth willow has been rated as fair in energy value and poor in protein
value [13].  


COVER VALUE : 
Booth willow provides cover and protection for many birds and mammals.
It also provides shade for fish in streams and ponds [1,11,13,24].  The
degree to which Booth willow provides environmental protection for
wildlife species during one or more seasons has been rated as follows
[1,13,34]:

                         MT       WY       ID
Elk                     Good     Good     Good
Mule deer               Good     Good     Good 
White-tailed deer       Good     Good     Good
Small mammals           Good     Good     Good 
Small nongame birds     Good     ----     ----
Upland game birds       Good     ----     ----
Waterfowl               Fair     ----     ----


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Booth willow is useful in stabilizing streambanks and providing erosion
control on severely disturbed sites [1,14,24].  It is valuable in
revegetating disturbed riparian sites having high water tables and low
elevations [24].  Booth willow is capable of colonizing a wide range of
riparian sites such as rocky or gravelly sites near the water table to
drier benches with deep fine-textured soils [1].  Planting willow stem
cuttings has been recognized as a valuable tool for restoring riparian
habitats [26].  The use of willow in rehabilitation should be emphasized
[13].
    


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
All willows produce salacin, which is closely related chemically to
salicylic acid, the active ingredient in aspirin.  Native Americans used
the leaves of willows to treat mosquito bites, bee stings, and stomach
aches and used the stems for implements such as baskets, arrow shafts,
scoops, and fish traps. [1,15].
 


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Winter willow (Salix spp.) browsing by ungulates limits seed production
by (1) removing flower buds developed the previous fall; (2) stimulating
the plants to increase production of vegetative growth, thereby
allocating resources needed for reproductive growth to vegetative
growth; and (3) limiting the size of plants, which limits the number of
seeds produced.  In Yellowstone National Park, ungulate browsing has
almost eliminated willow seed production and, therefore, almost
eliminated willow populations.  Protection from browsing for at least 3
years is essential for the establishment of Booth willow [18].

Overgrazing by livestock can threaten riparian ecosystems unless
management practices favor their protection [24].  Soil surfaces may be
churned by livestock when moist, resulting in soil compaction,
streambank sloughing, and damage to vegetation [13].
      

Related categories for Species: Salix boothii | Booth Willow