Growth Patterns of Deerbrush and Snowbrush as Functions of Age and Shrub Vigor

Abstract

To describe the growth of deerbrush (Ceanothus integerrimus Hook & Arn) and snowbrush (C. velutinus var. velutinus Dougl. ex Hook.) by age and shrub vigor, stem-analysis techniques were applied to 61 open-grown shrubs of each species in southwestern Oregon. Present crown dimensions were measured, and past stem lengths for each year of growth were determined by dissecting the longest stem. Models were fit to describe stem length as a function of plant age and stem length at age 10 (L10) for each species. Shrub height and crown area were then related to length of the longest stem, and curves were constructed to illustrate crown development by age and L10. The results can be used to estimate the growing space that will be occupied by open-grown shrubs of either species at any time from ages 4 through 20. For. Sci. 37(4):1140-1149.