Cattle / Livestock, Bos taurus

Conifers		Broadleaves
Fig. 286   Damage to lodgepole pine by cattle rubbing.	Fig. 287  Damage to lodgepole pine by cattle rubbing.	Fig. 414  Damage caused by cattle rubbing. Note sparse understory from grazing, trampling, and soil compaction.

Distribution:  Throughout B.C. with the most heavy grazing in the Cariboo and Kamloops forest regions.

Tree Species Attacked: All tree species can be damaged. Lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine, and Douglas-fir are particularly susceptible. Seedlings and small saplings are the most affected, though all sizes are at risk.

What to Look For:  Uniformly scarred trunks, signs of grazing and trampling, hoof marks, droppings.

Signs & Symptoms: Conifers -  Browsing, trampling, pulling, and rubbing are all physical injuries that may be caused by cattle. Damage is more likely and more severe if the livestock are confined to a small area, or if they do not have access to abundant and palatable forage. The tender new growth of ponderosa and lodgepole pine may be browsed even when sufficient fodder is available.  

Broadleaves -  Cattle may trample and graze aspen suckers and regenerating areas.  Grazing can result in the uprooting of seedlings.  Aspen trunks can be wounded from rubbing.  Soil may be compacted and show the imprints left by hooves.  Understory growth may be sparse and annual plants replaced by perennials.  Cattle droppings are unlikely to be confused with those of wild ungulates.

Damage: Browsing can cause growth loss and deformation in seedlings and saplings. Seedlings can be uprooted. Trampling is the most common damage to young seedlings, which can result in severe injury and high mortality in overgrazed areas. Larger trees can be injured by rubbing or scraping, which can result in bark removal and stem disfigurement. Placement of salt licks, location of water sources, herd management and some site preparation techniques can all contribute to cattle damage.

The greatest potential risk is the wounding of young aspen.  This creates entry points for disease and may lower the wood quality and value.  Over-grazing can limit regeneration and growth and exhaust the root carbohydrate reserves.  Light grazing can cause growth too dense for commercial use.  Seedlings and saplings are most susceptible to mortality. 

Similar Damage: Wild ungulates may occupy plantations at the same time as cattle, and can cause similar damage that is difficult to distinguish. Tracks, fecal pies, and several site visits may be required to tell the difference between cattle damage and other large mammal damage. 

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Contact Tim Ebata if you have comments on the presentation of this information.

BC Ministry of Forests
Forest Practices Branch
P.O. Box 9513 Stn. Prov. Gov.
Victoria, BC
V8W 9C2

Section phone: (250) 387-8739
Section fax: (250) 387-2136

Last updated March 04, 2002