Deer brush leaves are high in protein, and calcium levels are high in both leaves and twigs. However, based on the nutritional standard for lactating cows, deer brush provides inadequate levels of phosphorus and digestible energy. Overall, browse quality decreases from late spring to late summer. On the Sierra National Forest, nutritional quality of deer brush browse varied significantly by year, but not by shrub age or degree of overstory canopy closure. Growing stock from seed has shown good results, although seed requires several months of pregermination treatment.
Deer brush can outcompete conifer seedlings for root space, water, and nutrients.
Deer brush may not adversely affect natural conifer regeneration, however. Prescribed grazing may not result in conifer seedling release, however.