Species to Seed 



This brush type varies considerably, but the species usually recommended for the inter- 

 mediate and favorable sagebrush sites are adapted to this zone. Tall oatgrass has been success- 

 ful on most mountain-brush seedings. Slender wheatgrass and Chewings fescue can be planted 

 on many sites, and orchardgrass is successful in shady areas. Alfalfa grows well but is some- 

 times badly damaged by livestock grazing and by gophers. The most useful species are 

 intermediate, pubescent, and fairway wheatgrasses- -the latter two on the drier sites. 



Site Preparation and Seeding 



Mountain -brush sites, if dominated by weeds or low shrubs, especially sagebrush, should 

 be treated like sagebrush lands. Plowing is necessary to kill sprouting shrubs such as 

 snowberry. 



The larger treelike mountain -brush species, such as maple and chokecherry, may be 

 burned; seed may then be broadcast in the loose ashes . Resprouting trees and shrubs may 

 eventually suppress the seeded species. If understory openings between the treelike plants are 

 almost bare, seed can be broadcast in early fall and will be covered by falling leaves. Estab- 

 lishment under such conditions is slow, but fair to excellent seeded stands have been attained 

 by this method (fig. 8). 



PONDEROSA PINE FORESTS 



The ponderosa pine forests of western Idaho are important primarily for their watersheds 

 and for timber production , but they provide considerable grazing for Livestock and big game , 

 The common perennial understory forage plants are bitterbrush, bluebunch wheatgrass, Idaho 

 fescue, and balsamroot. Fires and heavy use by livestock and big game have reduced the 

 understory to cheatgrass in many places. Wherever these forests can be seeded, forage pro- 

 duction is greatly increased in the timber openings (fig. 9). Seeding also reduces erosion 

 hazards following logging and accidental fires in this zone and in the higher forests as well. 



Species to Seed 



Species recommended above for the mountain- brush sites are also useful on the ponderosa 

 pine sites. Tall oatgrass, slender wheatgrass, and timothy produce quick cover, while smooth 

 and meadow bromes and fairway, crested, intermediate, and pubescent wheatgrasses are long- 

 lived for permanent forage. Orchardgrass is useful in shady places. A mixture of timothy, 



Figure 8. --This good 

 grass cover was 

 attained by broad- 

 casting seed in a 

 nearly bare open- 

 ing in maple at 

 time of leaf fall 

 and by providing 

 protection through 

 two seasons. 

 Franklin County. 



