It extends up into the lower ponderosa pine forest but is more common at slightly lower elevations. Forage Value Vine mesquite provides fair forage for all grazing animals while green, but becomes coarse and unpalatable after maturity. It rates excellent as an erosion control plant. Grazing Management Vine mesquite should be grazed during the summer while actively growing because the stems and leaves are coarse and lose much of their palatability on drying. When this grass grows in areas that are subject to erosion, it should not be heavily grazed.
Light grazing gives the runners an opportunity to grow and permits the plants to spread.