Can sprout from surviving roots or stolons and from the base of aerial stems following fire but may be killed by severe fires which cause extended heating of the upper soil. Light fires which partially remove the duff stimulate germination of buried seed. Generally increases following fire, and may invade a recently burned area from adjacent unburned areas. Fruit also eaten by mice and other mammals. Deer mice, meadow voles, and other small rodents feed on the young stems and bark.
Beavers use it for food and to build dams and lodges.
Eaten by songbirds, grouse, quail, partridge, ducks, crows, and other birds. Long slim stems were used by Indians for basket weaving and are still used by present-day crafters. Indians and early settlers smoked the inner bark, stem scrapings, and leaves, which have a slightly narcotic effect. Indians also used an extract as an emetic for treating fevers and coughs and obtained dyes from the bark and roots. Flowers self-sterile, requiring cross pollination.