A comparison of wildlife use in broomed and unbroomed ponderosa pine trees in northern Arizona

Gregg N. Garnett, Robert L. Mathiasen, Carol L. Chambers

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Dwarf mistletoe infections often induce structures known as witches' brooms that may provide an important wildlife habitat element. We compared evidence of wildlife use in broomed and unbroomed ponderosa pine trees at 12 mistletoe-infested sites in northern Arizona. We systematically sampled 12 broomed and unbroomed trees on each site (n = 144 broomed and 144 unbroomed trees) by climbing and inspecting each tree to document evidence of wildlife use. Broomed trees were used more frequently than unbroomed trees for wildlife activities including foraging/caching, nesting, and roosting/resting sites. We observed evidence of use by Abert squirrel (Sciurus aberti), porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum), and passerine birds in witches' brooms. Of the 226 brooms we examined, 23% (n = 52) contained evidence of wildlife use. Mammal use was found in 80% (n = 42) of the brooms and of these, 39 were used by Abert squirrel. We recommend that management agencies consider retaining some of these broomed trees to provide habitat for wildlife.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)42-46
Number of pages5
JournalWestern Journal of Applied Forestry
Volume19
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2004

Keywords

  • Abert squirrel
  • Arceuthobium vaginatum
  • Dwarf mistletoe
  • Mammals
  • Pinus ponderosa
  • Ponderosa pine
  • Sciurus aberti
  • Wildlife
  • Witches' brooms

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Forestry
  • Plant Science

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