Rodent‐Influenced Establishment of Ponderosa Pine and Bitterbrush Seedlings in Central Oregon

Abstract

Unrecovered caches of Pinus ponderosa and Purshia tridentata seed made by small rodents frequently result in establishment of seedling clusters. Studies in montane forests of central Oregon indicate that about 90% of the Purshia seedlings that germinate develop in clusters. At least 15% of the pine seedlings result from rodent caches.