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You are here >1Up Info > Wildlife, Animals, and Plants > Plant Species > Shrub > Species: Spiraea betulifolia | White Spirea
 

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VALUE AND USE

SPECIES: Spiraea betulifolia | White Spirea
WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : NO-ENTRY IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : White spirea is not an important shrub species to livestock or wildlife. The leaves of white spirea persist on the plant longer than those of other deciduous shrub species, which may account for its moderate food value during autumn [40]. The low food value is sometimes demonstrated by the substantial presence of white spirea on overgrazed ranges, especially in areas where cattle concentrate [40]. White spirea can grow in colonies, but not to the extent where it can be adequately utilized by livestock or wildlife for cover. PALATABILITY : White spirea's palatability rating is poor to fair for domesticated range animals. Mule deer and elk also find white spirea relatively unpalatable [35]. The species' low palatability may result from the presence of a volatile oil containing bitter salicylic aldehyde [40]. The relish and degree of use shown by livestock and wildlife species for white spirea in Montana is rated as follows [12]: Montana * Information for other states not available. Cattle poor Sheep fair Horses poor Antelope fair Elk poor Mule deer fair White-tailed deer fair Small mammals poor Small nongame birds poor Upland game birds poor Waterfowl poor NUTRITIONAL VALUE : White spirea can serve as summer forage for livestock [39]. Most studies, however, conclude that white spirea is a poor forage species, and is generally not used by livestock or wildlife [12,19,29,35,40]. COVER VALUE : White spirea is rated poor for cover value. Because it only achieves a height from 1 to 3 feet (60 - 90 cm), the cover value for wildlife is virtually non-existent [18]. The degree to which white spirea provides environmental protection during one or more seasons for wildlife species is as follows [12]: Montana * Information for other states not available. Elk poor Mule deer poor White-tailed deer poor Small mammals poor Small non-game birds poor Upland game birds poor VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : White spirea is generally not used for rehabilitation of disturbed sites. White spirea was used, however, along with other native shrubs, to revegetate road cuts in northwestern Montana [21]. It was found to have a 57 percent survival rate 4 years after planting and a composite rating of 33 percent when measured for growth, vigor, natural spread, and soil stabilization [21]. It was rated as 'medium' for soil erosion reduction potential due to its moderately aggressive growth [18]. In its first 3 years, however, white spirea was also found to show slow growth, and only fair rates of growth, cover reproduction, and maintenance thereafter [7,9,21]. OTHER USES AND VALUES : NO-ENTRY MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : White spirea is generally not selectively managed for cover, forage, or other uses. It has been found to have a high vegetative response to many types of disturbances from logging to wildfires [35,42]. White spirea generally regenerates quickly, and thus provides soil stabilization after disturbance [21]. Since white spirea is not highly selected by wildlife as forage, it would be a good species to introduce into disturbed sites.

Related categories for Species: Spiraea betulifolia | White Spirea

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Information Courtesy: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Fire Effects Information System

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