. California range brushlands and browse plants. Browse (Animal food); Brush; Forage plants. Western mountain-mahogany (Cercocarpus betuloides). Left, branchlet showing plumose twisted styles; right, young branchlet in flower. This species provides excellent browse for all kinds of livestock and for deer. The numerous sprouts that appear after burning are cropped so closely as often to destroy the plants. It reproduces well by seed. Where possible this species should be increased. Economic value. This species ranks among the highest as all-around browse (photo on page 80). It is similar in pal
. California range brushlands and browse plants. Browse (Animal food); Brush; Forage plants. Western mountain-mahogany (Cercocarpus betuloides). Left, branchlet showing plumose twisted styles; right, young branchlet in flower. This species provides excellent browse for all kinds of livestock and for deer. The numerous sprouts that appear after burning are cropped so closely as often to destroy the plants. It reproduces well by seed. Where possible this species should be increased. Economic value. This species ranks among the highest as all-around browse (photo on page 80). It is similar in palatability and browse value to true mountain- mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus), which is highly esteemed by stockmen and game managers alike throughout much of the Far West outside of California. Chemical analysis of western mountain-mahogany on the Jawbone mule deer range in central Tuolumne County showed that the crude protein content of leaves and twigs was fairly high, averaging 15 per cent in Octo- ber and 11 per cent in December"52'. In another California study, where samples were collected monthly through- out the year, the crude protein content averaged about 7 per cent in January and February, when the stems were bare of leaves, 14 per cent in March, 15 per cent in April, May, and June, 12 per cent in July, August, and Septem- ber, and about 9 per cent in October, November, and Decemberm). The data show that the protein levels of the species are somewhat higher, on the average, than in most native browse species'145'. After the leaves are shed in late fall the twigs remain palatable and are cropped, notably by deer, throughout the winter. Western mountain-mahogany endures close browsing fairly well. When cropped back repeatedly it tends to assume the desirable bushy and spreading form, which enhances its yield of browse, rather than allow it to at- tain the tree habit. Studies reveal that this species might be increased in Distribution of western mountain-mahogany (
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