Trampling Damage by Cattle on Northern Idaho Forest Plantations

Abstract

The effects of cattle trampling in a Douglas-fir plantation the first year after planting were assessed. Trees partially girdled due to trampling were much more likely to die than untrampled trees (α = .0001). An average of 19% of the trees in the plantation had been trampled; however, the damage was uneven due to clumped cattle distribution. The results reflect the hazard of grazing Douglas-fir plantations in the northern Rockies during the first year after establishment.