Pacific Southwest

Title: Frost injury to bitterbrush in eastern California

Author: Smith, R. S.; Scharpf, R. F.; Schneegas, E. R.

Date: 1965

Source: Res. Note PSW-RN-082. Berkeley, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 4 p

Station ID: RN-PSW-082

Description: Widespread dieback of Purshia tridentata, on the Inyo National Forest in eastern California in the spring of 1964, was caused by a severe 3-day frost with daily minimums down to 13°F. An unusually warm 9-day period-with temperatures up to 70°F., which preceded the frost by a week, had induced the bitterbrush to break dormancy and start shoot elongation when the frost occurred. Damage to the bitterbrush caused reductions in the current range allotments. This is the first report of so severe a frost injury in this area.

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Citation

Smith, R. S.; Scharpf, R. F.; Schneegas, E. R.  1965.  Frost injury to bitterbrush in eastern California.   Res. Note PSW-RN-082. Berkeley, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 4 p.