MOUNTAIN BEAVER PROBLEMS IN THE FORESTS OF CALIFORNIA, OREGON AND WASHINGTON

Authors

John E. Borrecco, Wildlife and Fisheries Biology, University of California, Davis, California
Robert J. Anderson, Western Forestry Research Center, Weyerhaeuser Company, Centralia, Washington

Date of this Version

March 1980

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Mountain beavers (Aplodontia rufa) cause considerable damage to forest trees in the Pacific Northwest. Feeding injuries result in mortality, growth losses, deformity of trees, and understocked plantations. Losses are most severe in new plantations with significant damage problems also occurring in sapling stands. Trapping, and placing physical barriers around individual trees, are the most common methods of control. Both methods are costly but effective in reducing damage.