Growth characteristics of two red willow populations were compared in a study conducted in an area with no historic use by domestic herbivores in the Jordan Crater Research Natural Area in southeastern Oregon. One willow stand had resident beaver populations, while the other stand did not. Lava flows historically excluded livestock from both willow populations and enclosed beaver in one of the two willow populations. Willow tree dimensions (tree height and crown width), basal diameter at the ground level, and diameter 40 cm above the ground were measured at both locations (beaver present and beaver absent) from 1979-82. In the willow stand with beaver present, height of beaver cut stumps and the number of stems consumed were measured. New growth stem numbers were also recorded for both sites.
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