208 HANDBOOK 148, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



Cercocarpus spp. 



C. betuloides and C. ledifolius are used to a limited extent by domestic 

 stock in fall and winter where available. These highly nutritious 

 species are relished feed for deer. C. ledifolius is rated as one of the 

 three most important winter browse plants for deer and elk in eastern 

 Oregon and eastern Washington. The old and tall plants of C. 

 ledifolius can be easily highlined and converted to trees whose twigs 

 cannot be reached by big game animals. Varying degrees of pollard- 

 ing have been tried, with fair success, to induce good quantities of 

 accessible twigs and leaves. Benefits of this rather expensive measure 

 are short-lived if overuse by browsing animals continues. It lias been 

 suggested that the level of winter use for maximum sustained produc- 

 tion of C. ledifolius is about 50 percent. 



Chamaebatiaria millefolium 



Probably a fair browse for sheep and goats and of slight value for 

 deer. 



Chimaphila spp. 



These partially herbaceous species are fair forage for elk, but of 

 lower value for deer. 



Chrysothamnus spp. 



Palatability of C. nauseosus is ordinarily low for livestock, but 

 rated as good for antelope. It is a. poor to fair white' 1 browse for deer 

 and elk where it is available to them. Clipping studies in Oregon 

 have shown it could withstand heavy winter browsing. Attempts to 

 eradicate it from overgrazed ranges by fire and some mechanical 

 methods have not been very successful. It has been noted, however, 

 that it will succumb to girdling by rodents. The species produces 

 chrysil, a good rubber which vulcanizes readily. C. viseidiflorus is 

 another species of low value for livestock, yet it is used on some winter 

 ranges or when feed is in short supply. Use by antelope has been 

 noted. C. viseidiflorus var. lanceolatus is considered as poor to worth- 

 less for forage. 



Clematis spp. 



Domestic stock have been reported to use lightly various species of 

 Clematis when the plants are young and tender. Importance of the 

 species to big game is also slight. 



Cornus stolonifera 



This species is rated as of slight importance to sheep and of no value 

 to cattle. Deer and elk probably browse it occasionally. 



Corylus californica 



Is of low palatability to domestic stock and only slightly used by big 

 game. 



Crataegus spp. 



Although a little use by domestic stock and big game has been 

 reported, the thorny species are rated as poor forage. 



Eriogonum spp. 



The various species are of little importance to livestock or big game, 

 but both classes of animals do eat the flowers and fruits and antelope 

 will eat the foliage. 



