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Birchleaf or True Mountain Mahogany
Native Perennial Shrub, Seed Code: CEMO
- Seeds per lb: 59000
- Average Height: 3-15 Feet
- Precipitation requirement: 10 Inches Minimum
Also known as "Bush" Mahogany, Alderleaf Mahogany or True Mountain Mahogany.
Birchleaf mountain mahogany occurs on rocky bluffs, mountainsides, rimrock, breaks, and in canyons and open woodlands, being very common in swales where snow lays during the winter. It grows at elevations between 5,000 and 7,000 feet. It is heat and drought tolerant. It is also somewhat shade tolerant, but grows better without an overgrowing forest canopy.
It is most abundant on sunny sites with coarse, shallow, well-drained soils and is associated with Gambel oak, serviceberry, bitterbrush, big sagebrush. Birchleaf Mountain Mahogany is good to excellent forage for cattle, sheep, and goats. It is extremely valuable as winter browse for deer and bighorn sheep. The twigs are palatable yearlong and are grazed heavily. American Indians used wood from Birchleaf Mountain Mahogany to make tools and war clubs. Hopi Indians used the bark to make a reddish-brown dye for leather.
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