Document Type

Report

Report Number

A.S. Series 76-19

Publication Date

1976

Summary

Aspen (Populus tremuloides), covering in excess of 58,000 acres in the Black Hills area and over 3 million acres in the Upper Great Lakes area, has not been harvested in sufficient amounts to perpetuate growth. Periodic harvesting is not only necessary to assure an aspen stand but younger trees are needed as a source of food for grouse, deer and other wildlife. Although aspen serves as a source of fiber for paper, lumber, insulation and other industrial uses, it is presently not used for these purposes in the Black Hills region. In all regions where aspen grows whether or not it has other uses, substantial stands have reached maturity (60 to 70 years old) and will die without production of replacement trees if harvesting programs are not initiated. South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks is beginning such a program. In 1974 they were faced with the problem of utilization of harvested aspen trees. The purpose of this study was to determine the level at which the harvested aspen material could be fed to ruminants if corrected for know nutrient deficiencies such as protein and vitamin A. Of the hardwoods, aspen wood appears to have potential as a ruminant feed because of its low lignification (encrustation of fibers) and lack of known toxic constituents.

Number of Pages

11

Type

text

Format

application/pdf

Language

en

Publisher

Department of Animal Science, Agricultural Experiment Station, South Dakota State University

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