DA-15-00001 Palomino Fields Master File

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If spreading of planted species is considered a problem, selection might include only male clones. Both willows and cottonwoods have male and female plants. Selecting male plants will reduce spreading from seeds. More shade will be produced with tall and/or wide canopy species. This may be important for water temperatures and fish habitat. Consider the aspect. Concentrate on tree -type species with wide canopies on the south or east side of stream to achieve the most shade over the widest area. Stem flexibility is important for species at the ` velocities, debris loads, and ice flows (Parsons 1963; Platts and Rimae 1985). Species with deep or rhizomatous root systems might be better suited to streams with severe ice flows (Platts and Rinne 1985). Livestock and wildlife can adversely impact the riparian zone. Some plant species such as willow, cottonwood, chokecherry) Skunkbush f,' 1 � � ��._ 4 � Y'� VEL / '� S�•. sumac, golden current, serviceberry, Syringa (mockorange), and silver buffaloberry are o Debris caught on the flexible stems of Booth willow fairly palatable. It may be advantageous to after spring runoff plant less palatable species, such as hawthorn, in the bank to overbank zone rather than more palatable species. Other less palatable species include: Woods' rose, Douglas spirea, dogwood, river birch, thinleaf alder, and common snowberry. Grazing can also reduce regeneration, particularly for those species that reproduce by seed. Species selection of strong suckering or rhizomatous species may be an advantage. Improper grazing management can adversely impact even these species. A grazing management plan is needed whenever riparian areas are grazed, especially after planting. The riparian area should not be grazed for at least 3 years after planting. At the end of 3 years, the area should be assessed for grazing potential and if allowed, be grazed according to a good grazing management plan. Spring grazing is the best because animals have many foraging choices other than the planted woody species. Be careful with fall grazing because woody species are a more desirable foraging choice and there will be no regrowth before the next spring growth period. Overgrazing the woody and herbaceous riparian species will result in less bank and floodplain protection during high runoff events the following spring. The woody riparian species should be used as the key indicator species for when the livestock should be moved out of the riparian zone. Aesthetics can usually be improved by selecting more than one species to provide differences in size, shape, color, and texture. More than 1 species or clone also increases resistance to pests and diseases, in addition to increasing diversity for wildlife. However, the species planted at the waterline should be a single species so that all the cuttings have similar characteristics for the full length of any one reach so that varying sizes and shapes do not cause the force of water to move behind that planted line.