In Idaho and Montana, elk used menziesia in considerable amounts in July, and to a lesser extent in October. Elk rarely eat menziesia when it occurs with more palatable browse species. The palatability of menziesia is generally rated poor. Menziesia provides shelter and cover for a variety of wildlife species.
Dense thickets provide good cover for many small birds and mammals.
Menziesia is mostly threatened by logging activities. Two seasons after cutting, new shoots had not reached the height of precut stems, and did not overtop spruce or pine seedlings planted at the time of cutting.