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Photo 1. Sapling cottonwood; seepwillow in background; greasewood left foreground. <br />The Siberian elms were the largest trees at the site with DBH at 2.0 ft. or more, but they <br />were few in number and had apparently been planted around a homestead on the site long <br />before the cottonwoods had become established. There was very little regeneration of <br />this species except for some younger individuals found along an abandoned irrigation <br />ditch. <br />Russian olive, on the other hand, appeared to be regularly reproducing as individuals of <br />all sizes were observed. <br />The native shrub seepwillow (Baccharis salicina) forms nearly pure stands in full sun <br />(Photo 2), but it is also present in the partial shade under the cottonwoods. This species <br />is tolerant of saline soils. Coyote willow (Salix exigua) is found in low -lying areas, but <br />the number of dead plants suggests the site has become drier in recent years (Photo 3). <br />Skunkbush (Rhos aromatica subsp. trilobata), a shade - tolerant shrub species, is <br />widespread under the cottonwoods. <br />Skunkbush has relatively high wildlife value; it is browsed by mule deer and the fruits are <br />eaten by birds and by many mammal species such as coyote, raccoon, and striped skunk <br />WestWater Engineering Page 3 of 8 April 2010 <br />