EFFECT OF GRAZING UPON ASPEN REPRODUCTION 205 



little damage to the timber stand. Because of the injury in- 

 flicted by sheep, it is clear that this class of stock should be ex- 

 cluded from areas on which reproduction is desired. 



{Forest Service, by the Author.) 



Fig. 68. — clear-cut ASPEN LAND GRAZED BY SHEEP TWICE EACH SEASON 

 FOR THREE SUCCESSIVE YEARS AFTER CUTTING. 



A profusion of root and coppice sprouts was produced during the first three years after the cutting, 

 but each season they were gnawed down by the sheep. After the third year no new sprouts 

 were produced, and the area was left without aspen reproduction. (Sec Fig. 69.) 



Effect of Grazing upon Aspen Reproduction. — Beneath the 

 aspen, which ordinarily grows in somewhat open stands, is 

 usually a luxuriant understory of grasses, weeds, and browse, 

 which is grazed with relish by all classes of stock. As pasture 

 land, the aspen type is considerably more valuable than either 

 the spruce-fir type at a higher elevation, or the yellow pine or 

 oakbrush type below the aspen. Unfortunately, however, the 

 stock, especially sheep, do not confine themselves entirely to the 

 forage, no matter how abundant and palatable it may be. They 



