NOTES ON FORAGE VALUE 



Acer spp. 



The foliage of maples is of fair palatability for domestic stock. 

 Leaves are also eaten by big game and in the fall and winter deer and 

 elk heavily browse the twigs. 



Alnus spp. 



For livestock, deer, and elk, the palatability is rather low. Forage 

 value is further depreciated by frequent inaccessibility of the plants. 

 Seeds are relished by doves and some other birds. 



Amelanchier spp. 



Palatability of most species of Amelanchier appears to be fair to good 

 for livestock, and good to excellent for deer and elk. Serviceberries 

 are considered to be among the more valuable and nutritious browse 

 plants of the region. Some Idaho studies suggest that on sheep range 

 the proper-use factor for A. alnifolia is 60-65 percent. 



Aplopappus bloomeri 



Is of low value to worthless for livestock. 



Arctostaphylos spp. 



A. nevadensis and A. ura-ursi are unpalatable to domestic livestock. 

 Deer and elk make limited use of them, particularly in the winter. 

 Tender shoots, buds, and leaves of A parryana var. pinetorum are 

 palatable to sheep and especially deer, but older parts are of small 

 forage value except when there is a near shortage of winter browse. 



Artemisia arbuscula 



Various species of sagebrush; particularly A. arbuscula, are impor- 

 tant year-long food items for pronghorn antelope on Hart Mountain, 

 Oreg., range. 



Artemisia carta 



In most localities where this species occurs, it is considered to be of 

 little value for sheep feed, and of no value for cattle. 



Artemisia rig id a 



Fair forage for sheep and particularly liked by horses. 



Artemisia spinescens 



Probably its most important use in some places has been as sheep 

 browse. Use by antelope has been noted. 



Artemisia tridentata 



Although of low palatability, big sagebrush is important because of 

 its wide distribution, abundance, and its unwanted invasions of some 

 depleted range lands. With the exception of sheep use on desert 

 winter ranges, the species is considered to be of almost no value for 

 livestock. Big sagebrush is a moderately palatable winter food supply 

 for elk and mule deer, and apparently very palatable for antelope. 

 There is also an eastern Oregon record of considerable summer use of 

 big sagebrush by elk. Body weights, health, and productivity of deer 



20(i 



